Electronic device and method for transmitting and receiving signals

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an electronic device and, more particularly, to an electronic device and a method for transmitting and receiving signals. To this end, the electronic device according to the present invention may comprise: a transceiving unit comprising a first group of power amplifiers (PAs) including at least one PA and a second group of PAs including at least one PA; an antenna unit comprising a first antenna selectively coupled to a PA supporting a first frequency range or a second frequency range of the first group of PAs and the second group of the PAs, and a second antenna selectively coupled to a PA supporting the second frequency range or a third frequency range of the first group of PAs and the second group of the PAs; a power supply unit comprising a first power supply modulator connected to the first group of PAs and a second power supply modulator connected to the second group of PAs; and a communication processor for changing an output voltage at least in part on the basis of transmit power of the PA coupled to at least one of the first power supply modulator and the second power supply modulator, wherein at least one of the first group of PAs and at least one of the second group of PAs are capable of transmitting signals simultaneously.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/080,482 filed on Aug. 28, 2018 which claims priority of NationalPhase Entry of PCT International Application No. PCT/KR2017/002461,which was filed on Mar. 7, 2017, and claims a priority to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2016-0026989 which was filed on Mar. 7, 2016, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to electronic devices and morespecifically to electronic devices and methods for transmitting andreceiving signals.

BACKGROUND ART

Electronic devices are providing more diverse services and additionalfunctions. Steady development efforts are underway to make electronicdevices meet the various needs of users and to raise the usability ofelectronic devices. As an example of satisfying user's needs, anelectronic device may transmit and receive data to/from an externalelectronic device. For such data transmission and reception, the radiofrequency (RF) circuit of the electronic device may provide a voltagecontrolled by a power modulator to a power amplifier (PA), therebytransmitting and receiving signals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

Conventionally, signals are transmitted via one power modulator. Thus,uplink carrier aggregation (CA) to simultaneously configure a pluralityof uplinks is not efficient. When such technology as envelope tracking(ET) or average power tracking (APT) is used to raise transmit powerefficiency, the PA supply voltage output from the power modulatordepends upon PA output power. Upon an uplink CA operation, the outputpower of each PA is independent; one power modulator may not efficientlysupport the uplink CA operation by which a plurality of PAs is operated.Even when the power issue is addressed, a conventional RF structurecannot support the uplink CA using a pseudo band. For example, when allof the frequencies to be used for uplink CA belong to a mid band (MB),the PAs used are insufficient, thus ending with a failure to performuplink CA.

Thus, there is a need to support two-uplink CA of all requiredcombinations by adding a minimum number of power modulators and PAs.

Technical Solution

Thus, the present invention relates to an electronic device and providesan electronic device and method for transmitting and receiving signals.

The present invention provides an electronic device and method forenhancing the transmit (TX)/receive (RX) data rate via two-uplink CA andthree-downlink CA by adding a minimum number of power modulators andPAs.

To achieve the foregoing objectives, according to the present invention,an electronic device may comprise a transceiver including a first PAgroup that includes at least one power amplifier (PA) and a second PAgroup that includes at least one PA, an antenna unit that includes afirst antenna selectively connected with a PA configured to support afirst frequency band or a second frequency band among PAs in the firstPA group and PAs in the second PA group and a second antenna selectivelyconnected with a PA configured to support the second frequency band or athird frequency band among the PAs in the first PA group and the PAs inthe second PA group, a power unit including a first power modulatorconnected to the first PA group and a second power modulator connectedto the second PA group, and a communication processor configured tochange an output voltage based on at least part of the transmit power ofa PA connected to at least one of the first power modulator and thesecond power modulator, wherein at least one of the PAs in the first PAgroup and at least one of the PAs in the second PA group are configuredto transmit a signal simultaneously.

To achieve the foregoing objectives, according to the present invention,an electronic device may comprise a power unit including a plurality ofpower modulators, an antenna unit including a plurality of antennas, aplurality of PA groups including a low band (LB), a middle band (MB),and a high band (HB), and a transceiver including a path selectorconfigured to perform switching to each PA group or to the LB, the MB,and the HB included in each PA group, and a communication processorconfigured to control power output from each power modulator included inthe power unit and each switch included in the path selector in order tocontrol signal transmission and reception through the plurality ofantennas.

To achieve the foregoing objectives, according to the present invention,a method for transmitting or receiving a signal by an electronic devicemay comprise performing communication through a PA in a first PA groupusing power output from a first power modulator configured in a powerunit, detecting an uplink CA request, operating a second PA group byactivating a second power modulator configured in the power unitcorresponding to the detected request, and controlling the transmissionor reception of a signal through a PA in the second PA group whileperforming the communication.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, there are provided an electronicdevice and method for enhancing TX/RX data rate via two-uplink CA andthree-downlink CA by adding a minimum number of power modulators andPAs, thereby enhancing TX/RX data rate and reducing power consumption.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an electronic device 101 in a networkenvironment 100 according to various embodiments;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device 201according to various embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a program module according tovarious embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device transmittingand receiving signals according to various embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5a is a first example view illustrating the electronic device ofFIG. 4 in greater detail; FIG. 5b is a second example view illustratingthe electronic device of FIG. 4 in greater detail; FIG. 5c is a thirdexample view illustrating the electronic device of FIG. 4 in greaterdetail;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for performing uplink CAaccording to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling power in acommunication state according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8(a) is a view illustrating an example of controlling output powerof a power modulator as per an envelope tracking mode according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8(b) is a view illustrating an example of controlling output powerof a power modulator as per a average power tracking mode according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8(c) is a view illustrating an example of controlling output powerof a power modulator as per a bypass mode according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling outputpower of a power modulator according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of performing uplinkCA with two diversity antennas according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of performing uplinkCA with two diversity antennas according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling two-uplinkCA according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an example structure supportingtwo-uplink CA and including an HB according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 15a is a view illustrating an example in which a transceiver and acommunication processor are added according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 15b is a view illustrating an example of performing uplink MIMOusing an HB while performing uplink CA according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 16a is a view illustrating an example of randomly connecting afirst RF and a second RF to a first antenna and a second antenna via oneswitch according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16b is a view illustrating an example in which a switch is added toswap connection between a first antenna connected with an LB of a firstRF and a third antenna connected with a diversity unit of the LBaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16c is a view illustrating an example of swapping connectionbetween the first antenna connected with the LB of the first RF and thethird antenna connected with the diversity unit of the LB via the switchadded in FIG. 16 b;

FIG. 16d is a view illustrating an example of using a diplexer insteadof the switch to selectively connect the first antenna with the thirdantenna in FIG. 16 b;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device 101according to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating an example in which an antenna of a boxeris mounted in an electronic device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating a configuration of an antenna deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 20a is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a first RF and a second RF with different frequency bands areconnected with a single antenna according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 20b is a view illustrating an example of a structure in which thefirst RF of FIG. 20a is connected to a first power modulator, and thesecond RF is connected to a second power modulator;

FIG. 20c is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a first RF and a second RF with overlapping frequency bands areconnected with a single antenna according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 20d is a view illustrating an example of a structure in which thefirst RF of FIG. 20c is connected to a first power modulator, and thesecond RF is connected to a second power modulator;

FIG. 20e is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a first RF and a second RF are connected with their respectiveantennas according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20f is a view illustrating an example of a structure in which thefirst RF of FIG. 20e is connected to a first power modulator, and thesecond RF is connected to a second power modulator;

FIG. 20g is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a first RF and a second RF may selectively be connected with twoantennas according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20h is a view illustrating an example of a structure in which thefirst RF of FIG. 20g is connected to a first power modulator, and thesecond RF is connected to a second power modulator;

FIG. 20i is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a first RF and a second RF each include a plurality ofinput/output ports and may selectively be connected with two antennasaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20j is a view illustrating an example of a structure in which thefirst RF of FIG. 20g is connected to a first power modulator, and thesecond RF is connected to a second power modulator;

FIG. 20k is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a PA in a first RF is modularized into an LB and an M/HB, and a PAin a second RF is modularized into an LB and an M/HB according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20l is a view illustrating an example of a structure in which PAsin the first RF of FIG. 20k are connected to a first power modulator,and PAs in the second RF are connected to a second power modulator;

FIG. 20m is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a PA in a first RF is modularized into an LB, an MB, and an HB,and a PA in a second RF is modularized into an LB, an MB, and an HBaccording to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20n is a view illustrating an example of a structure in which PAsin the first RF of FIG. 20m are connected to a first power modulator,and PAs in the second RF are connected to a second power modulator;

FIG. 20o is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich the respective PAs of a first RF and a second RF are connectedwith four antennas according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20p is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich each PA in the first RF of FIG. 20o is connected to a first powermodulator, and each PA in the second RF is connected to a second powermodulator;

FIG. 20q is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich n RFs, m antennas, and k power modulators are connected accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20r is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structurewhere a first RF supports an LB and an MB, and a second RF supports anMB and an HB according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20s is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich an LB and MB in the first RF of FIG. 20r are connected to a firstpower modulator, and an MB and HB in the second RF are connected to asecond power modulator; and

FIG. 20t is a view illustrating a specific example of the path selectorof FIG. 20 s.

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described withreference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should beappreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to theembodiments, and all changes and/or equivalents or replacements theretoalso belong to the scope of the present disclosure. The same or similarreference denotations may be used to refer to the same or similarelements throughout the specification and the drawings.

As used herein, the terms “have,” “may have,” “include,” or “mayinclude” a feature (e.g., a number, function, operation, or a componentsuch as a part) indicate the existence of the feature and do not excludethe existence of other features.

As used herein, the terms “A or B,” “at least one of A and/or B,” or“one or more of A and/or B” may include all possible combinations of Aand B. For example, “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least oneof A or B” may indicate all of (1) including at least one A, (2)including at least one B, or (3) including at least one A and at leastone B.

As used herein, the terms “first” and “second” may modify variouscomponents regardless of importance and/or order and are used todistinguish a component from another without limiting the components.For example, a first user device and a second user device may indicatedifferent user devices from each other regardless of the order orimportance of the devices. For example, a first component may be denoteda second component, and vice versa without departing from the scope ofthe present disclosure.

It will be understood that when an element (e.g., a first element) isreferred to as being (operatively or communicatively) “coupled with/to,”or “connected with/to” another element (e.g., a second element), it canbe coupled or connected with/to the other element directly or via athird element. In contrast, it will be understood that when an element(e.g., a first element) is referred to as being “directly coupledwith/to” or “directly connected with/to” another element (e.g., a secondelement), no other element (e.g., a third element) intervenes betweenthe element and the other element.

As used herein, the terms “configured (or set) to” may beinterchangeably used with the terms “suitable for,” “having the capacityto,” “designed to,” “adapted to,” “made to,” or “capable of” dependingon circumstances. The term “configured (or set) to” does not essentiallymean “specifically designed in hardware to.” Rather, the term“configured to” may mean that a device can perform an operation togetherwith another device or parts. For example, the term “processorconfigured (or set) to perform A, B, and C” may mean a generic-purposeprocessor (e.g., a CPU or application processor) that may perform theoperations by executing one or more software programs stored in a memorydevice or a dedicated processor (e.g., an embedded processor) forperforming the operations.

The terms as used herein are provided merely to describe someembodiments thereof, but not to limit the scope of other embodiments ofthe present disclosure. It is to be understood that the singular forms“a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the contextclearly dictates otherwise. The terms including technical and scientificterms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one ofordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments of the presentdisclosure belong. It will be further understood that terms, such asthose defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted ashaving a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context ofthe relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overlyformal sense unless expressly so defined herein. In some cases, theterms defined herein may be interpreted to exclude embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

For example, examples of the electronic device according to embodimentsof the present disclosure may include at least one of a smartphone, atablet personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, a video phone, an e-bookreader, a desktop PC, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, aworkstation, a server, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portablemultimedia player (PMP), a MP3 player, a mobile medical device, acamera, or a wearable device. According to an embodiment of the presentinvention, the wearable device may include at least one of anaccessory-type device (e.g., a watch, a ring, a bracelet, an anklet, anecklace, glasses, contact lenses, or a head-mounted device (HMD)), afabric- or clothes-integrated device (e.g., electronic clothes), a bodyattaching-type device (e.g., a skin pad or tattoo), or a bodyimplantable device (e.g., an implantable circuit).

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electronicdevice may be a home appliance. Examples of the home appliance mayinclude at least one of a television, a digital video disk (DVD) player,an audio player, a refrigerator, an air conditioner, a cleaner, an oven,a microwave oven, a washer, a drier, an air cleaner, a set-top box, ahome automation control panel, a security control panel, a TV box (e.g.,Samsung HomeSync™, Apple TV™, or Google TV™), a gaming console (Xbox™,PlayStation™), an electronic dictionary, an electronic key, a camcorder,a charger, or an electronic picture frame.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, examples of theelectronic device may include at least one of various medical devices(e.g., diverse portable medical measuring devices (a blood sugarmeasuring device, a heartbeat measuring device, or a body temperaturemeasuring device), a magnetic resource angiography (MRA) device, amagnetic resource imaging (MRI) device, a computed tomography (CT)device, an imaging device, or an ultrasonic device), a navigationdevice, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, an eventdata recorder (EDR), a flight data recorder (FDR), an automotiveinfotainment device, an sailing electronic device (e.g., a sailingnavigation device or a gyro compass), avionics, security devices,vehicular head units, industrial or home robots, automatic teller'smachines (ATMs), point of sales (POS) devices, or internet of things(IoT) devices (e.g., a bulb, various sensors, an electric or gas meter,a sprinkler, a fire alarm, a thermostat, a street light, a toaster,fitness equipment, a hot water tank, a heater, or a boiler).

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, examples of theelectronic device may at least one of part of a piece of furniture orbuilding/structure, an electronic board, an electronic signaturereceiving device, a projector, or various measurement devices (e.g.,devices for measuring water, electricity, gas, or electromagneticwaves). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, theelectronic device may be one or a combination of the above-listeddevices. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, theelectronic device may be a flexible electronic device. The electronicdevice disclosed herein is not limited to the above-listed devices, andmay include new electronic devices depending on the development oftechnology.

Hereinafter, electronic devices are described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure. As used herein, the term “user” may denote a human oranother device (e.g., an artificial intelligent electronic device) usingthe electronic device.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an electronic device 101 in a networkenvironment 100 according to an embodiment.

The electronic device 101 may include a bus 110, a processor 120, amemory 130, an input/output interface 150, a display 160, and acommunication interface 170. In some embodiments, the electronic device101 may exclude at least one of the components or may add anothercomponent.

The bus 110 may include a circuit for connecting the components 110 to170 with one another and transferring communications (e.g., controlmessages and/or data) between the components.

The processor 120 may include one or more of a central processing unit(CPU), an application processor (AP), or a communication processor (CP).The processor 120 may perform control on at least one of the othercomponents of the electronic device 101, and/or perform an operation ordata processing relating to communication.

The memory 130 may include a volatile and/or non-volatile memory. Forexample, the memory 130 may store commands or data related to at leastone other component of the electronic device 101. According to anembodiment of the present disclosure, the memory 130 may store softwareand/or a program 140. The program 140 may include, e.g., a kernel 141,middleware 143, an application programming interface (API) 145, and/oran application program (or “application”) 147. At least a portion of thekernel 141, middleware 143, or API 145 may be denoted an operatingsystem (OS).

For example, the kernel 141 may control or manage system resources(e.g., the bus 110, processor 120, or a memory 130) used to performoperations or functions implemented in other programs (e.g., themiddleware 143, API 145, or application program 147). The kernel 141 mayprovide an interface that allows the middleware 143, the API 145, or theapplication 147 to access the individual components of the electronicdevice 101 to control or manage the system resources.

The middleware 143 may function as a relay to allow the API 145 or theapplication 147 to communicate data with the kernel 141, for example.

Further, the middleware 143 may process one or more task requestsreceived from the application program 147 in order of priority. Forexample, the middleware 143 may assign at least one of applicationprograms 147 with priority of using system resources (e.g., the bus 110,processor 120, or memory 130) of the electronic device 101. For example,the middleware 143 may perform scheduling or load balancing on the oneor more task requests by processing the one or more task requestsaccording to the priority assigned to the at least one applicationprogram 147.

The API 145 is an interface allowing the application 147 to controlfunctions provided from the kernel 141 or the middleware 143. Forexample, the API 133 may include at least one interface or function(e.g., a command) for filing control, window control, image processingor text control.

The input/output interface 150 may serve as an interface that may, e.g.,transfer commands or data input from a user or other external devices toother component(s) of the electronic device 101. Further, theinput/output interface 150 may output commands or data received fromother component(s) of the electronic device 101 to the user or the otherexternal device.

The display 160 may include, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), alight emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode(OLED) display, or a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) display, oran electronic paper display. The display 160 may display, e.g., variouscontents (e.g., text, images, videos, icons, or symbols) to the user.The display 160 may include a touchscreen and may receive, e.g., atouch, gesture, proximity or hovering input using an electronic pen or abody portion of the user.

For example, the communication interface 170 may set up communicationbetween the electronic device 101 and an external electronic device(e.g., a first electronic device 102, a second electronic device 104, ora server 106). For example, the communication interface 170 may beconnected with the network 162 through wireless or wired communicationto communicate with the external electronic device.

The wireless communication may use at least one of, e.g., long termevolution (LTE), long term evolution-advanced (LTE-A), code divisionmultiple access (CDMA), wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA),universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), wireless broadband(WiBro), or global system for mobile communication (GSM), as a cellularcommunication protocol. Further, the wireless communication may include,e.g., short-range communication 164. The short-range communication 164may include at least one of, e.g., wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi), bluetooth,near-field communication (NFC), or global navigation satellite system(GNSS). The GNSS may include at least one of, e.g., global positioningsystem (GPS), global navigation satellite system (Glonass), Beidounavigation satellite system (hereinafter, “Beidou”) or Galileo, or theEuropean global satellite-based navigation system. Hereinafter, theterms “GPS” and the “GNSS” may be interchangeably used herein. The wiredconnection may include at least one of, e.g., universal serial bus(USB), high definition multimedia interface (HDMI), recommended standard(RS)-232, or plain old telephone service (POTS). The network 162 mayinclude at least one of communication networks, e.g., a computer network(e.g., local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN)), Internet,or a telephone network.

The first and second external electronic devices 102 and 104 each may bea device of the same or a different type from the electronic device 101.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the server 106 mayinclude a group of one or more servers. According to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure, all or some of operations executed on theelectronic device 101 may be executed on another or multiple otherelectronic devices (e.g., the electronic devices 102 and 104 or server106). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when theelectronic device 101 should perform some function or serviceautomatically or at a request, the electronic device 101, instead ofexecuting the function or service on its own or additionally, mayrequest another device (e.g., electronic devices 102 and 104 or server106) to perform at least some functions associated therewith. The otherelectronic device (e.g., electronic devices 102 and 104 or server 106)may execute the requested functions or additional functions and transfera result of the execution to the electronic device 101. The electronicdevice 101 may provide a requested function or service by processing thereceived result as it is or additionally. To that end, a cloudcomputing, distributed computing, or client-server computing technologymay be used, for example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device 201according to an embodiment of the present invention.

An electronic device 201 may include the whole or part of, e.g., theelectronic device 101 of FIG. 1. The electronic device 201 may includeone or more processors (e.g., application processors (APs)) 210, acommunication module 220, a subscriber identification module (SIM) 224,a memory 230, a sensor module 240, an input device 250, a display 260,an interface 270, an audio module 280, a camera module 291, a powermanagement module 295, a battery 296, an indicator 297, and a motor 298.

The processor 210 may control multiple hardware and software componentsconnected to the processor 210 by running, e.g., an operating system orapplication programs, and the processor 210 may process and computevarious data. The processor 210 may be implemented in, e.g., a system onchip (SoC). According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, theprocessor 210 may further include a graphic processing unit (GPU) and/oran image signal processor. The processor 210 may include at least some(e.g., the cellular module 221) of the components shown in FIG. 2. Theprocessor 210 may load a command or data received from at least one ofother components (e.g., a non-volatile memory) on a volatile memory,process the command or data, and store various data in the non-volatilememory.

The communication module 220 may have the same or similar configurationto the communication interface 170 of FIG. 1. The communication module220 may include, e.g., a cellular module 221, a wireless fidelity(Wi-Fi) module 223, a Bluetooth (BT) module 225, a GNSS module 227, aNFC module 228, and a RF module 229.

The cellular module 221 may provide voice call, video call, text, orInternet services through, e.g., a communication network. According toan embodiment of the present invention, the cellular module 221 mayperform identification or authentication on the electronic device 201 inthe communication network using a subscriber identification module 224(e.g., the SIM card). According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the cellular module 221 may perform at least some of thefunctions providable by the processor 210. According to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure, the cellular module 221 may include acommunication processor (CP).

The Wi-Fi module 223, the Bluetooth module 225, the GNSS module 227, orthe NFC module 228 may include a process for, e.g., processing datacommunicated through the module. According to an embodiment of thepresent invention, at least some (e.g., two or more) of the cellularmodule 221, the Wi-Fi module 223, the Bluetooth module 225, the GNSSmodule 227, or the NFC module 228 may be included in a single integratedcircuit (IC) or an IC package.

The RF module 229 may communicate data, e.g., communication signals(e.g., RF signals). The RF module 229 may include, e.g., a transceiver,a power amp module (PAM), a frequency filter, a low noise amplifier(LNA), or an antenna. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, at least one of the cellular module 221, the Wi-Fi module223, the bluetooth module 225, the GNSS module 227, or the NFC module228 may communicate RF signals through a separate RF module.

The subscription identification module 224 may include, e.g., a cardincluding a subscriber identification module and/or an embedded SIM, andmay contain unique identification information (e.g., an integratedcircuit card identifier (ICCID) or subscriber information (e.g., aninternational mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)).

The memory 230 (e.g., the memory 130) may include, e.g., an internalmemory 232 or an external memory 234. The internal memory 232 mayinclude at least one of, e.g., a volatile memory (e.g., a dynamic RAM(DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), etc.) ora non-volatile memory (e.g., a one time programmable ROM (OTPROM), aprogrammable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmable ROM (EPROM), anelectrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), a mask ROM, a flashROM, a flash memory (e.g., a NAND flash, or a NOR flash), a hard drive,or solid state drive (SSD).

The external memory 234 may include a flash drive, e.g., a compact flash(CF) memory, a secure digital (SD) memory, a micro-SD memory, a min-SDmemory, an extreme digital (xD) memory, a multi-media card (MMC), or amemory stick™. The external memory 234 may be functionally and/orphysically connected with the electronic device 201 via variousinterfaces.

For example, the sensor module 240 may measure a physical quantity ordetect an motion state of the electronic device 201, and the sensormodule 240 may convert the measured or detected information into anelectrical signal. The sensor module 240 may include at least one of,e.g., a gesture sensor 240A, a gyro sensor 240B, an atmospheric pressuresensor 240C, a magnetic sensor 240D, an acceleration sensor 240E, a gripsensor 240F, a proximity sensor 240G, a color sensor 240H (e.g., ared-green-blue (RGB) sensor, a bio sensor 240I, a temperature/humiditysensor 240J, an illumination sensor 240K, or an Ultra Violet (UV) sensor240M. Additionally or alternatively, the sensing module 240 may include,e.g., an e-nose sensor, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, anelectroencephalogram (EEG) sensor, an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, aninfrared (IR) sensor, an iris sensor, or a finger print sensor. Thesensor module 240 may further include a control circuit for controllingat least one or more of the sensors included in the sensing module.According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the electronicdevice 201 may further include a processor configured to control thesensor module 240 as part of the processor 210 or separately from theprocessor 210, and the electronic device 2701 may control the sensormodule 240 while the processor 1210 is in a sleep mode.

The input unit 250 may include, e.g., a touch panel 252, a (digital) pensensor 254, a key 256, or an ultrasonic input device 258. The touchpanel 252 may use at least one of capacitive, resistive, infrared, orultrasonic methods. The touch panel 252 may further include a controlcircuit. The touch panel 252 may further include a tactile layer and mayprovide a user with a tactile reaction.

The (digital) pen sensor 254 may include, e.g., a part of a touch panelor a separate sheet for recognition. The key 256 may include e.g., aphysical button, optical key or key pad. The ultrasonic input device 258may sense an ultrasonic wave generated from an input tool through amicrophone (e.g., the microphone 288) to identify data corresponding tothe sensed ultrasonic wave.

The display 260 (e.g., the display 160) may include a panel 262, ahologram device 264, or a projector 266. The panel 262 may have the sameor similar configuration to the display 160 of FIG. 1. The panel 262 maybe implemented to be flexible, transparent, or wearable. The panel 262may also be incorporated with the touch panel 252 in a module. Thehologram device 264 may make three dimensional (3D) images (holograms)in the air by using light interference. The projector 266 may display animage by projecting light onto a screen. The screen may be, for example,located inside or outside of the electronic device 201. In accordancewith an embodiment, the display 260 may further include a controlcircuit to control the panel 262, the hologram device 264, or theprojector 266.

The interface 270 may include e.g., a high definition multimediainterface (HDMI) 272, a USB 274, an optical interface 276, or aD-subminiature (D-sub) 278. The interface 270 may be included in e.g.,the communication interface 170 shown in FIG. 1. Additionally oralternatively, the interface 270 may include a mobile high-definitionlink (MHL) interface, a secure digital (SD) card/multimedia card (MMC)interface, or infrared data association (IrDA) standard interface.

The audio module 280 may convert a sound into an electric signal or viceversa, for example. At least a part of the audio module 280 may beincluded in e.g., the input/output interface 145 as shown in FIG. 1. Theaudio module 280 may process sound information input or output throughe.g., a speaker 282, a receiver 284, an earphone 286, or a microphone288.

For example, the camera module 291 may be a device for recording stillimages and videos, and may include, according to an embodiment, one ormore image sensors (e.g., front and back sensors), a lens, an Imagesignal processor (ISP), or a flash such as an LED or xenon lamp.

The power manager module 295 may manage power of the electronic device201, for example. The electronic device 201 may be an electronic devicepowered by a battery, but is not limited thereto. According to anembodiment of the present invention, the power manager module 295 mayinclude a power management Integrated circuit (PMIC), a charger IC, or abattery or fuel gauge. The PMIC may have a wired and/or wirelessrecharging scheme. The wireless charging scheme may include e.g., amagnetic resonance scheme, a magnetic induction scheme, or anelectromagnetic wave based scheme, and an additional circuit, such as acoil loop, a resonance circuit, a rectifier, or the like may be addedfor wireless charging. The battery gauge may measure an amount ofremaining power of the battery 296, a voltage, a current, or atemperature while the battery 296 is being charged. The battery 296 mayinclude, e.g., a rechargeable battery or a solar battery.

The indicator 297 may indicate a particular state of the electronicdevice 201 or a part (e.g., the processor 210) of the electronic device,including e.g., a booting state, a message state, or recharging state.The motor 298 may convert an electric signal to a mechanical vibrationand may generate a vibrational or haptic effect. Although not shown, aprocessing unit for supporting mobile TV, such as a GPU may be includedin the electronic device 201. The processing unit for supporting mobileTV may process media data conforming to a standard for digitalmultimedia broadcasting (DMB), digital video broadcasting (DVB), ormediaFlo™.

Each of the aforementioned components of the electronic device mayinclude one or more parts, and a name of the part may vary with a typeof the electronic device. The electronic device in accordance withvarious embodiments of the disclosure may include at lest one of theaforementioned components, omit some of them, or include otheradditional component(s). Some of the components may be combined into anentity, but the entity may perform the same functions as the componentsmay do.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a program module according to anembodiment of the present disclosure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the program module310 (e.g., the program 140) may include an operating system (OS)controlling resources related to the electronic device (e.g., theelectronic device 101) and/or various applications (e.g., theapplication processor 147) driven on the operating system. The operatingsystem may include, e.g., Android™, iOS™, Windows™, Symbian™, Tizen™, orBada™.

The program 310 may include, e.g., a kernel 320, middleware 330, anapplication programming interface (API) 360, and/or an application 370.At least a part of the program module 310 may be preloaded on theelectronic device or may be downloaded from an external electronicdevice (e.g., the electronic devices 102 and 104 or server 106).

The kernel 320 (e.g., the kernel 141) may include, e.g., a systemresource manager 321 and/or a device driver 323. The system resourcemanager 321 may perform control, allocation, or recovery of systemresources. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, thesystem resource manager 321 may include a process managing unit, amemory managing unit, or a file system managing unit. The device driver323 may include, e.g., a display driver, a camera driver, a bluetoothdriver, a shared memory driver, a USB driver, a keypad driver, a Wi-Fidriver, an audio driver, or an inter-process communication (IPC) driver.

The middleware 330 may provide various functions to the application 370through the API 360 so that the application 370 may efficiently uselimited system resources in the electronic device or provide functionsjointly required by applications 370. According to an embodiment of thepresent invention, the middleware 330 (e.g., the middleware 143) mayinclude at least one of a runtime library 335, an application manager341, a window manager 342, a multimedia manager 343, a resource manager344, a power manager 345, a database manager 346, a package manager 347,a connectivity manager 348, a notification manager 349, a locationmanager 350, a graphic manager 351, or a security manager 352.

The runtime library 335 may include a library module used by a compilerin order to add a new function through a programming language while,e.g., the application 370 is being executed. The runtime library 335 mayperform input/output management, memory management, or operation onarithmetic functions.

The application manager 341 may manage the life cycle of at least oneapplication of, e.g., the applications 370. The window manager 342 maymanage GUI resources used on the screen. The multimedia manager 343 maygrasp formats necessary to play various media files and use a codecappropriate for a format to perform encoding or decoding on media files.The resource manager 344 may manage resources, such as source code of atleast one of the applications 370, memory or storage space.

The power manager 345 may operate together with, e.g., a basicinput/output system (BIOS) to manage battery or power and provide powerinformation necessary for operating the electronic device. The databasemanager 346 may generate, search, or vary a database to be used in atleast one of the applications 370. The package manager 347 may manageinstallation or update of an application that is distributed in the formof a package file.

The connectivity manager 348 may manage wireless connectivity, such as,e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The notification manager 349 may display ornotify an event, such as a coming message, appointment, or proximitynotification, of the user without interfering with the user. Thelocation manager 350 may manage locational information on the electronicdevice. The graphic manager 351 may manage graphic effects to be offeredto the user and their related user interface. The security manager 352may provide various security functions necessary for system security oruser authentication. According to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure, when the electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 101)has telephony capability, the middleware 330 may further include atelephony manager for managing voice call or video call functions of theelectronic device.

The middleware 330 may include a middleware module forming a combinationof various functions of the above-described components. The middleware330 may provided a specified module per type of the operating system inorder to provide a differentiated function. Further, the middleware 330may dynamically omit some existing components or add new components.

The API 360 (e.g., the API 145) may be a set of, e.g., API programmingfunctions and may have different configurations depending on operatingsystems. For example, in the case of Android or iOS, one API set may beprovided per platform, and in the case of Tizen, two or more API setsmay be offered per platform.

The application 370 (e.g., the application processor 147) may includeone or more applications that may provide functions such as, e.g., ahome 371, a dialer 372, a short message service (SMS)/multimediamessaging service (MMS) 373, an instant message (IM) 374, a browser 375,a camera 376, an alarm 377, a contact 378, a voice dial 379, an email380, a calendar 381, a media player 382, an album 383, or a clock 384, aheath-care (e.g., measuring the degree of workout or blood sugar), orprovision of environmental information (e.g., provision of air pressure,moisture, or temperature information).

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the application370 may include an application (hereinafter, “information exchangingapplication” for convenience) supporting information exchange betweenthe electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 101) and an externalelectronic device (e.g., the electronic devices 102 and 104). Examplesof the information exchange application may include, but is not limitedto, a notification relay application for transferring specificinformation to the external electronic device, or a device managementapplication for managing the external electronic device.

For example, the notification relay application may include a functionfor relaying notification information generated from other applicationsof the electronic device (e.g., the SMS/MMS application, emailapplication, health-care application, or environmental informationapplication) to the external electronic device (e.g., the electronicdevices 102 and 104). Further, the notification relay application mayreceive notification information from, e.g., the external electronicdevice and may provide the received notification information to theuser.

The device management application may perform at least some functions ofthe external electronic device (e.g., the electronic device 102 or 104)communicating with the electronic device (for example, turning on/offthe external electronic device (or some components of the externalelectronic device) or control of brightness (or resolution) of thedisplay), and the device management application may manage (e.g.,install, delete, or update) an application operating in the externalelectronic device or a service (e.g., call service or message service)provided from the external electronic device.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the application370 may include an application (e.g., a health-care application of amobile medical device) designated according to an attribute of theexternal electronic device (e.g., the electronic devices 102 and 104).According to an embodiment of the present invention, the application 370may include an application received from the external electronic device(e.g., the server 106 or electronic devices 102 and 104). According toan embodiment of the present invention, the application 370 may includea preloaded application or a third party application downloadable from aserver. The names of the components of the program module 310 accordingto the shown embodiment may be varied depending on the type of operatingsystem.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a part ofthe program module 310 may be implemented in software, firmware,hardware, or in a combination of two or more thereof. At least a part ofthe programming module 310 may be implemented (e.g., executed) by e.g.,a processor (e.g., the processor 210). At least a part of the programmodule 310 may include e.g., a module, program, routine, set ofcommands, process, or the like for performing one or more functions.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic device transmittingand receiving signals according to various embodiments of the presentinvention.

Referring to FIG. 4, according to various embodiments of the presentinvention, the electronic device 101 may support two-uplink carrieraggregation (CA) and three-downlink CA.

The electronic device 101 may include a power unit 410 including a firstpower modulator 411 and a second power modulator, an antenna unit 420including a first antenna 421 and a second antenna 422, an RF circuitunit 4701, and a communication processor 480. The communicationprocessor 480 may perform at least one operation or function executed bythe processor 120 of FIG. 1. The RF circuit unit 470 may include aplurality of PA groups and a transceiver 430 that convert basebandsignals output from the communication processor 480 into RF band signalsbased on the power output from the first power modulator 411 and thesecond power modulator, and that control the gain of RF band signals.The power unit 410 may include two power modulators or three or morepower modulators. The RF circuit unit 170 may include two PA groups orthree or more PA groups. The number of PA groups may correspond to thenumber of power modulators included in the power unit 410. The number ofpower modulators included in the power unit 410 may correspond to thenumber of PA groups.

According to various embodiments, the RF circuit unit 470 may perform atleast one operation or function that is performed by the communicationinterface 170 of FIG. 1. The RF circuit unit 470 may include a first PAgroup including at least one power amplifier (PA) and a second PA groupincluding at least one PA. Each PA group may include PAs supporting lowband (LB), middle band (MB), and high band (HB). For example, the PAs inthe first PA group may be included in a first RF LB unit 451, a first RFMB unit 453, and a first RF HB unit 455, and the PAs in the second PAgroup may be included in a second RF LB unit 452, a second RF MB unit454, and a second RF HB unit 456. Each of the first RF LB unit 451, thefirst RF MB unit 453, the first RF HB unit 455, the second RF LB unit452, the second RF MB unit 454, and the second RF HB unit 456 mayinclude a duplexer to separate transmit signals and receive signals fromeach other. Each of the first RF LB unit 451, the first RF MB unit 453,the first RF HB unit 455, the second RF LB unit 452, the second RF MBunit 454, and the second RF HB unit 456 may be a transmitting/receivingcircuit including, e.g., a duplexer, a PA, and a switch.

According to various embodiments, the PAs included in the first RF LBunit 451, the first RF MB unit 453, and the first RF HB unit 455 whichare the PAs of the first PA group may amplify signals using power thatis output from the first power modulator 411, and the PAs included inthe second RF LB unit 452, the second RF MB unit 454, and the second RFHB unit 456 which are the PAs of the second PA group may amplify signalsusing power that is output from the second power modulator 412. Thefirst power modulator 411 may supply power to at least one PA in thefirst PA group, and the second power modulator 412 may supply power toat least one PA in the second PA group, thereby allowing forsimultaneous use of the PAs in the first PA group and the PAs in thesecond PA group. As such, uplink CA with two uplink component carriersmay be performed by simultaneously using the PAs in the first PA groupand the PAs in the second PA group.

According to various embodiments, the RF circuit unit 470 may include apath selector 440. The path selector 440 may include at least one switchthat provides switching to the PA groups and switching to the LB, MB,and HB in each PA group. For example, the RF circuit unit 470 mayinclude a first switch 441 to provide switching between the first RF LBunit 451 and the second RF LB unit 452, a second switch 442 to provideswitching between the first RF MB unit 453 and the second RF MB unit454, and a third switch 443 to provide switching between the first RF HBunit 451 and the second RF HB unit 456. The number of switches in thepath selector 440 may correspond to the number of PA groups.

According to various embodiments, the RF circuit unit 470 may include adiplexer 461 to separate LB and MB signals. The diplexer 461 mayseparate LB band signals and MB band signals received through the firstantenna 421 or combine LB band signals and MB band transmit signalstransferred from the RF circuit unit 470 and transfer the combinedsignals to the antenna.

According to various embodiments, the transceiver 430 may include atleast one programmable gain amplifier (PGA), at least one low noiseamplifier (LNA), at least one low pass filter (LPF), at least oneswitch, and at least one mixer functionally or electrically connectedwith each of the first RF LB unit 451, the first RF MB unit 453, thefirst RF HB unit 455, the second RF LB unit 452, the second RF MB unit454, and the second RF HB unit 456. The transceiver 430 may filterbaseband signals output from the communication processor 480 into onesof a bandwidth fitting the communication scheme (e.g., GSM, WCDMA, orLTE) via the LPF, upconvert the baseband signals via a mixer,selectively connect the upconverted signals to a transmit programmablegain amplifier (Tx PGA) via a switch, and adjust the gain of the PGA tochange the output power of the upconverted signals. The baseband signalsmay be in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) signals. The mixer may be a quadraturemixer. The transceiver 430 may amplify signals received through at leastone of the first RF LB unit 451, the first RF MB unit 453, the first RFHB unit 455, the second RF LB unit 452, the second RF MB unit 454, orthe second RF HB unit 456 via the LNA, and convert the amplified signalsinto baseband signals via the mixer. The mixer may be a quadraturemixer. The baseband signals (e.g., I/Q signals) may be filtered intoones of a bandwidth fitting the communication scheme via the LPF and betransferred to the communication processor 480 that may then demodulatethe received I/Q signals. The transceiver 430 may filter the modulatedbaseband signals from the communication processor 480 through the LPF,convert the signals into signals of at least one band of the LB, MB, orHB via the mixer, amplify the converted band signals via the Tx PGA,amplify the signals by using at least one PA included in the first RF LBunit 451, the first RF MB unit 453, the first RF HB unit 455, the secondRF LB unit 452, the second RF MB unit 454, or the second RF HB unit 456,and transmit the signals through the antenna 420.

According to various embodiments, the communication processor 480 maycontrol the transceiver 430 through a separate interface. Thecommunication processor 480 may control the operation of parts includedin the transceiver 430 based on a selected communication method. Thecommunication processor 480 may be connected with parts included in atleast one of the first RF LB unit 451, the first RF MB unit 453, thefirst RF HB unit 455, the second RF LB unit 452, the second RF MB unit454, or the second RF HB unit 456 separately or jointly via aninterface, e.g., mobile industry processor interface (MIPI), and maycontrol each part via such connection. Where the PAs in the first PAgroup and the PAs in the second PA group support the same band, thecommunication processor 480 may perform multiple input multiple output(MIMO). For example, when the first RF MB unit 453 and the second RF MBunit 454 both may support B2, the communication processor 480 mayperform uplink MIMO in B2.

According to various embodiments, the communication processor 480 maychange the operation frequency of the mixer based on the selected bandand channel and adjust the gain of the Tx PGA based on the selectedtransmit output. The communication processor 480 may control at leastone of the first power modulator 411 or the second power modulator 412based on the output power from the RF circuit unit 470. Thecommunication processor 480 may control the voltage output from at leastone of the first power modulator 411 or the second power modulator 412.The communication processor 480 may control the voltage output from atleast one of the first power modulator or the second power modulator byusing any one of an envelope tracking (ET) mode, in which it adjustsvoltage depending on the envelope of the transmit signal and supplies itto the PA, an average power tracking (APT) mode, in which it adjustsvoltage corresponding to the average transmit power and supplied it tothe PA, and a bypass mode, in which it supplies a constant voltage tothe PA. The communication processor 480 may control the RF circuit unit470 and the power unit 410 as per an uplink CA request from a basestation (not shown), thereby performing uplink CA. The communicationprocessor 480 may control at least one switch in the path selector 440according to a combination of CA bands, thereby performing uplink CA ordownlink CA.

According to various embodiments, the antenna unit 420 may include twoantennas or three or more antennas. The antenna unit 420 may furtherinclude at least one diversity antenna. The antenna unit 420 may includea first antenna 421 that is selectively connected with a PA supporting afirst frequency band or a second frequency band among the PAs in thefirst PA group and the PAs in the second PA group and a second antenna421 that is selectively connected with a PA supporting a secondfrequency band or a third frequency band among the PAs in the first PAgroup and the PAs in the second PA group. The first frequency band maybe an LB, the second frequency band may be an MB, and the thirdfrequency band may be an HB. The antenna unit 420 may further include athird antenna supporting an LB and an MB and a fourth antenna supportingat least one MB and HB, and the third antenna and the fourth antenna mayalso receive signals as diversity antennas. Each switch or diplexer inthe path selector 440 may be configured to selectively or simultaneouslyconnect each antenna with the transmit/receive paths. The LB may includea frequency band ranging from 600 MHz to 1 GHz. The MB may include afrequency band ranging from 1.5 GHz to 2.2 GHz. The HB may include afrequency band ranging from 1.8 GHz to 5 GHz. The MB and the HB maypartially overlap each other.

In FIG. 4, the solid lines indicate signal lines for transmittingtransmit/receive signals used for communication, and the dotted linesindicate control lines for transmitting control signals. The thick solidlines are power lines. The electronic device 101 may transmit or receivecontrol signals by using, e.g., an MIPI or GPIO. The communicationprocessor 480 is connected with the first power modulator 411 and thesecond power modulator 412 included in the power unit 410 via signallines that are capable of controlling output voltage.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device 101 may comprisean RF circuit unit 170 including a first PA group including at least onepower amplifier (PA) and a second PA group including at least one PA, anantenna unit 420 including a first antenna selectively connected with aPA configured to support a first frequency band or a second frequencyband among PAs in the first PA group and PAs in the second PA group anda second antenna selectively connected with a PA configured to supportthe second frequency band or a third frequency band among the PAs in thefirst PA group and the PAs in the second PA group, a power unit 410including a first power modulator connected to the first PA group and asecond power modulator connected to the second PA group, and acommunication processor 480 configured to change an output voltage basedon at least part of the transmit power of a PA connected to at least oneof the first power modulator and the second power modulator, wherein atleast one of the PAs in the first PA group and at least one of the PAsin the second PA group are configured to transmit a signalsimultaneously.

According to an embodiment, the communication processor 480 may beconfigured to simultaneously transmit the signal through one PA of thefirst PA group and one PA of the second PA group. The PA may have anyone band among a low band (LB), middle band (MB), or high band (HB).

According to an embodiment, the communication processor 480 may beconfigured to activate the second power modulator corresponding to anuplink carrier aggregation (CA) request while performing communicationusing a PA in the first PA group that is using power output from thefirst power modulator, and to operate the second PA group to perform anuplink CA operation and communication.

According to an embodiment, each of the PA groups may include an LB PA,an MB PA, and an HB PA. The LB PA may have a frequency ranging from 600MHz to 1 GHz, the MB PA may have a frequency ranging from 1.5 GHz to 2.2GHz, and the HB PA may have a frequency ranging from 1.8 GHz to 5 GHz.

According to an embodiment, the communication processor 480 may beconfigured to control power output from at least one of the first powermodulator or the second power modulator by using any one of an envelopetracking mode, in which a voltage is adjusted depending on an envelopeof the signal and supplied to the PA, an average power tracking mode, inwhich the voltage is adjusted corresponding to an average of therespective output power levels of the PAs and supplied to the PA, and abypass mode, in which a constant voltage is supplied to the PA.

According to an embodiment, the RF circuit unit 170 may include a radiofrequency (RF) unit 430 including at least one low pass filter (LPF)configured to change the cutoff frequency of a signal output from thecommunication processor 480, at least one transmit (Tx) mixer configuredto upconvert an in phase/quadrature (I/Q) signal of a baseband and thesignal, at least one switch configured to switch a signal output fromthe Tx mixer to a Tx programmable gain amplifier, and at least one Txprogrammable gain amplifier configured to adjust a gain according to thecontrolled power and provide it to the PA; and a path selector 440including a PA configured to modulate output power of the signalaccording to the adjusted gain, at least one duplexer configured toseparate a transmitted signal and a received signal, and at least onediplexer configured to separate an LB and an MB.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna may be configured tosupport an LB corresponding to the first frequency band and an MBcorresponding to the second frequency band, and the second antenna maybe configured to support the MB corresponding to the second frequencyband and an HB corresponding to the third frequency band.

According to an embodiment, an LB PA, an MB PA, and an HB PA in thefirst PA group may be configured to transmit or receive a communicationcontrol signal to/from an external device, and an LB PA, an MB PA, andan HB PA in the second PA group may be configured to transmit or receivedata to/from the external device.

According to an embodiment, the communication processor 480 may beconfigured to receive an I/Q signal to produce a first transmit I/Qsignal and a second transmit I/Q signal, and produce a first controlsignal to control the transceiver and a second control signal to controlat least one power modulator of the power unit.

According to an embodiment, the communication processor 480 may beconfigured to connect the first antenna to any one of PAs supporting anLB, an MB, or an HB in the first PA group through the path selectorcontrol signal, to set a power mode of the first power modulator to anyone of an envelope tracking mode, an average power tracking mode, or apower modulator via a mode changing control signal among control signalsto control the power modulator, to selectively connect the connected PAsupporting the LB, MB, or HB to any one of a band pass filter (BPF), aduplexer, or a quadplexer via a switch control signal among controlsignals to control the RF circuit unit 470 (e.g., Frontend), to set apower mode and bias voltage of the connected PA supporting the LB, MB,or HB via a PA control signal among Frontend control signals, to set theenable/disable of the first power modulator via an enable signal amongpower modulator control signals, and to set a transmit/receive path asper the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB to the enable.

According to an embodiment, the communication processor 480 may beconfigured to connect the second antenna to any one of PAs supporting anLB, an MB, or an HB in the second PA group through the path selectorcontrol signal, to set a power mode of the second power modulator to anyone of an envelope tracking mode, an average power tracking mode, or apower modulator via a mode changing signal among control signals tocontrol the power modulator, to selectively connect the connected PAsupporting the LB, MB, or HB to any one of a band pass filter (BPF), aduplexer, or a quadplexer via a switch control signal among Frontendcontrol signals, to set a power mode and bias voltage of the connectedPA supporting the LB, MB, or HB via a PA control signal among Frontendcontrol signals, to set the enable/disable of the second power modulatorvia an enable signal among power modulator control signals, and to set atransmit path as per the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB tothe enable.

According to an embodiment, the antenna unit 420 may include a thirdantenna configured to support an LB and at least one MB, a fourthantenna configured to support at least one MB and an HB, a first switchconfigured to switch a signal received through the third antenna to theLB or the MB, and a second switch configured to switch a signal receivedthrough the fourth antenna to the MB or the HB.

According to an embodiment, the first antenna may be disposed in thelower area of the electronic device, the second antenna may be disposedon the left or right side of the first antenna, the third antenna may bedisposed in the upper area of the electronic device, and the fourthantenna may be disposed on the left or right side of the third antenna.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, an electronicdevice 101 may comprise a power unit 410 including a plurality of powermodulators, an antenna unit 420 including a plurality of antennas, aplurality of PA groups including an LB, an MB, and an HB, and an RFcircuit unit 170 including a path selector configured to performswitching to each PA group or to the LB, the MB, and the HB included ineach PA group, and a communication processor 480 configured to controlpower output from each power modulator included in the power unit andeach switch included in the path selector to control signal transmissionand reception through the plurality of antennas.

According to an embodiment, the power unit 410 may have the powermodulator configured corresponding to the PA group configured in the RFcircuit unit 170.

According to an embodiment, the antenna unit 420 may include a firstantenna that is selectively connected with a PA supporting a firstfrequency band or a second frequency band among the PAs in the first PAgroup and the PAs in the second PA group, a second antenna that isselectively connected with a PA supporting a second frequency band or athird frequency band among the PAs in the first PA group and the PAs inthe second PA group, a third antenna supporting an LB and at least oneMB, and a fourth antenna supporting at least one MB and an HB. The thirdantenna and the fourth antenna may be diversity antennas that may onlyreceive signals.

FIG. 5a is a first example view illustrating the electronic device ofFIG. 4 in greater detail; FIG. 5b is a second example view illustratingthe electronic device of FIG. 4 in greater detail; FIG. 5c is a thirdexample view illustrating the electronic device of FIG. 4 in greaterdetail.

FIGS. 5a to 5c are views of examples of FIG. 4, and parts overlappingthose of FIG. 4 are not described.

Referring to FIG. 5 a, the first RF LB unit 451 may include an LB PA 501and a first duplexer 502, the second RF LB unit 452 may include an LB PA511 and a second duplexer 512, the first RF MB unit 453 may include anMB PA 521 and a third duplexer 522, the second RF MB unit 454 mayinclude an MB PA 531 and a fourth duplexer 532, the first RF HB unit 455may include an HB PA 541 and a fifth duplexer 542, and the second RF HBunit 456 may include an HB PA 551 and a sixth duplexer 552. Theduplexers 502, 512, 522, 532, 542, and 552 may separate signals ofdifferent frequency bands. For example, each duplexer may separate thesignals of a transmit frequency band and a receive frequency bandincluded in one communication frequency band.

According to various embodiments, the path selector 440 may include afirst switch 561 to switch between the first RF LB unit 451 and thesecond RF LB unit 452, a second switch 562 to switch between the firstRF MB unit 453 and the second RF MB unit 454, a third switch 563 toconnect the second RF MB unit 454 and the second switch 562 or connectthe second RF MB unit 454 and a fourth switch, and the fourth switch 564to connect the third switch 563 and the second antenna 422, connect thefirst RF HB unit 455 and the second antenna 422, and connect the secondRF HB unit 456 and the second antenna 422.

According to various embodiments, the first antenna 421 may selectivelybe connected with a plurality of PAs, and the plurality of PAs mayinclude at least two pairs of PAs. Of the two PA pairs, one pair maysupport a first frequency band, and the other pair may support a secondfrequency band. For example, the first antenna 421 may selectively beconnected with one pair of PAs supporting the LB and one pair of PAssupporting the MB. The diplexer 461 may be configured between the firstantenna 421 and the duplexer. The diplexer 461 may separate signalstransmitted or received through the first antenna 421 into an LB bandsignal and an MB band signal.

According to various embodiments, the second antenna 422 may selectivelybe connected with a plurality of PAs and may include at least one pairof PAs and another pair of PAs. The first PA pair may support a thirdfrequency band, and the second PA pair may support the second frequencyband. For example, one pair of PAs may support the HB, and the otherpair of PAs may support the MB. The duplexer between the second antenna422 and the PA may separate signals transmitted and received in one bandsupporting the corresponding frequency band. For example, the LB PA-sideduplexer may have B5 which is one LB band. The PAs constituting the pairsupporting the same frequency band may use different power modulators.For example, one of the pairs of PAs may be connected with the firstpower modulator 411, and the other may be connected with the secondpower modulator 412. The PAs 501, 521, and 541 may be used as PAs of aprimary component carrier (PCC), and other PAs 511, 531, and 551 may beused as PAs of a secondary component carrier (SCC). Conversely, the PAs501, 521, and 541 may be used as PAs of the SCC, and the other PAs 511,531, and 551 may be used as PAs of the PCC.

According to various embodiments, the following operations are based onthe assumption that uplink CA is performed through the LB and HB, and LBis PCC, and downlink CA is performed through the LB/MB/HB. The switch561 connecting the pair of LB PAs connects the first antenna 421 to thePA 501 of the first RF LB unit 451. Since the first power modulator 411is occupied by the PA 501 of the first RF LB unit 451, the PA 521 of thefirst RF MB unit 453 and the PA 541 of the first RF HB unit 455 cannotbe used. Accordingly, the SCC connects the PA 551 of the second RF HBunit 456 to the second antenna 422. By the above operation, LB and HBuplink CA may be performed. To support LB, MB, and HB downlink CA, oneduplexer included in the first RF MB unit 453 or the second RF MB unit454 is connected to the first antenna 421. Since the MB only involvesreception, there may be no limit to the power modulator.

Table 1 below represents a switching operation configuration as per acombination of two-uplink CA and three-downlink CA bands.

TABLE 1 Downlink second third fourth Uplink CA CA first switch switchswitch switch LB/HB LB/MB/HB first RF LB second RF first second RF MBantenna HB LB/MB LB/MB/HB first RF LB second RF first second RF MBantenna HB MB/HB LB/MB/HB second RF first RF Don’t care second RF LB MBHB LB/HB LB/MB/HB second RF second RF first first RF HB LB MB antennaLB/MB LB/MB/HB second RF first RF Don’t care second RF LB MB HB MB/HBLB/MB/HB second RF second RF first first RF HB LB MB antenna MB/MBMB/MB/HB second RF first RF first second RF LB MB antenna MB

In Table 1, the bands denoted in bold are bands playing the role of aPCC, and the bands in regular thickness are bands playing the role of anSCC.

As shown in FIG. 5a and Table 1, for example, if the first switch 561 isconnected to the first RF LB unit 451, the second switch 561 isconnected to the second RF MB unit 454, the third switch 563 isconnected to the first antenna 421, and the fourth switch 564 isconnected to the second RF HB unit 456, as a first example, uplink CAmay be performed via the first RF LB unit 451 and the second RF HB unit456, and downlink CA may be performed via the first RF LB unit 451, thesecond RF MB unit 454, and the second RF HB unit 456; or as a secondexample, uplink CA may be performed via the first RF LB unit 451 and thesecond RF MB unit 454 and downlink CA may be performed via the first RFLB unit 451, the second RF MB unit 453, and the second RF HB unit 452.As set forth above, the present invention may perform two-uplink CA andthree-downlink CA as per switching combinations of the first switch tothe fourth switch.

Since FIG. 5b is the same as FIG. 5a except for the swap switch 570, nodescription of switching combinations is given. The swap switch 570 mayconnect the diplexer 461 with the first RF MB unit 453 or the diplexer461 with the second RF MB unit 454. The swap switch 570 may connect thefourth switch 564 with the first RF MB unit 453 or the fourth switch 564with the second RF MB unit 454. The swap switch 570 may be a combinedswitch of the second switch 562 and the third switch 563 of FIG. 5 a.

FIG. 5c is a view illustrating an example in which the fourth switch 564of FIG. 5b is replaced with a diplexer 581, and a fifth switch 565 isadded. The diplexer 581 may separate signals transmitted or receivedthrough the second antenna 422 into a signal as per the MB and a signalas per the HB. The diplexer 581 may be configured between the secondantenna 422 and the swap switch 570 or between the second antenna 422and the fifth switch 565. The fifth switch 565 may connect the diplexer581 with the first RF HB unit 455 or the diplexer 581 with the second RFHB unit 456.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a process for performing uplink CAaccording to various embodiments of the present invention.

Now described in detail with reference to FIG. 6 is a process forperforming uplink CA according to various embodiments of the presentinvention.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may performcommunication through the PA in the first PA group via the first powermodulator (610). The electronic device 101 may perform communicationthrough the PA in the first PA group by using power that is output fromthe first power modulator 411 configured in the power unit 410. Theelectronic device may set the mode of power output from the first powermodulator 411 to any one of the envelope tracking mode, average powertracking mode, or bypass mode and may provide power as per the set modeto the PA in the first PA group (e.g., any one of the PAs supporting theLB, MB, or HB).

According to various embodiments, when an uplink CA request occurs(612), the electronic device 101 may activate the second power modulator(614). The electronic device 101 may determine whether the uplink CArequest occurs while communication is performed in operation 610. Theelectronic device 101 may receive, from the base station, a signal topermit communication through a PA in at least one PA group (e.g., thesecond PA group) other than the first PA group. When the uplink CArequest occurs, the electronic device 101 may determine thatcommunication may be performed through two-uplink CA. Upon intending toperform communication via the two-uplink CA, the electronic device 101may activate the second power modulator in the power unit 410. Theelectronic device may set the mode of power output from the second powermodulator 412 to any one of the envelope tracking mode, average powertracking mode, or bypass mode and provide power as per the set mode tothe PA in the second PA group (e.g., any one of the PAs supporting theLB, MB, or HB). The electronic device 101 may control power output fromat least one of the first power modulator 411 or the second powermodulator 412 by using at least one of the envelope tracking mode, theaverage power tracking mode, or the bypass mode.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may performcommunication by fulfilling the uplink CA operation through the PA inthe second PA group (616). The electronic device 101 may additionallyoperate the PA in the second PA group while performing communicationthrough the PA in the first PA group, performing uplink CA operation andperforming communication. The electronic device 101 may perform uplinkCA including two uplink component carriers by using the PA in the firstPA group and the PA in the second PA group.

According to various embodiments of the present invention, a method fortransmitting or receiving a signal by an electronic device 101 maycomprise performing communication through a PA in a first PA group usingpower that is output from a first power modulator configured in a powerunit, detecting an uplink CA request, operating PAs of a second PA groupby activating a second power modulator configured in the power unitcorresponding to the detected request, and controlling transmission of asignal through a PA in the second PA group while performing thecommunication.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise selectivelyconnecting a PA configured to support a first frequency band or a secondfrequency band among PAs in the first PA group and PAs in the second PAgroup with a first antenna and selectively connecting a PA configured tosupport the second frequency band or a third frequency band among thePAs in the first PA group and the PAs in the second PA group with asecond antenna.

According to an embodiment, controlling signal transmission andreception may include controlling the power output from at least one ofthe first power modulator or the second power modulator.

According to an embodiment, controlling signal transmission andreception may include simultaneously transmitting the signal through onePA of the first PA group and one PA of the second PA group.

According to an embodiment, controlling the power may includecontrolling power output from at least one of the first power modulatoror the second power modulator by using any one of an envelope trackingmode, in which a voltage is adjusted depending on an envelope of thesignal and supplied to the PA, an average power tracking mode, in whichthe voltage is adjusted corresponding to an average of the respectiveoutput power levels of the PAs and supplied to the PA, and a bypassmode, in which a constant voltage is supplied to the PA.

According to an embodiment, operating the second PA group may includeproducing a first transmit I/Q signal and a second transmit I/Q signalcorresponding to the reception of an I/Q signal, operating the second PAgroup to produce a control signal to control signal transmission andreception and a control signal to control at least one power modulatorof the power unit.

According to an embodiment, operating the second PA group may includechanging a cutoff frequency of the signal, upconverting the signal and abaseband I/Q signal, switching the upconverted signal to a transmit (Tx)programmable gain amplifier (PGA), adjusting the gain of the signal, andmodulating the output power of the signal through the PA in the secondPA group based on the adjusted gain.

According to an embodiment, producing the control signal may includeconnecting the first antenna to any one of PAs, supporting the LB, MB,or HB, in the first PA group through the produced control signal,setting the power mode of the first power modulator to any one of theenvelope tracking mode, average power tracking mode, or bypass mode,selectively connecting the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB toany one of a BPF, a duplexer, or a quadplexer, setting the power modeand bias voltage of the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB, andthe enable/disable of the first power modulator, and setting thetransmit/receive path as per the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, orHB, to enable.

According to an embodiment, producing the control signal may includeconnecting the second antenna to any one of PAs, supporting the LB, MB,or HB, in the second PA group through the produced control signal,setting the power mode of the second power modulator to any one of theenvelope tracking mode, average power tracking mode, or bypass mode,selectively connecting the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB toany one of a BPF, a duplexer, or a quadplexer, setting the power modeand bias voltage of the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB, andthe enable/disable of the first power modulator, and setting thetransmit path as per the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB, toenable.

According to an embodiment, controlling the signal transmission andreception may include switching to each PA group or switching to the LB,MB, and HB included in each PA group, controlling power output from eachpower modulator included in the power unit, and controlling each switchincluded in the path selector to control signal transmission andreception through a plurality of antennas.

According to an embodiment, detecting the uplink request may includereceiving, from a base station, a signal to permit performingcommunication through the PA in the second PA group while communicatingthrough the PA in the first PA group and performing communication withthe base station through the PA in the second PA group based on thereceived signal.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling power in acommunication state according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Now described in detail with reference to FIG. 7 is a process forcontrolling power in a communication state according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

According to various embodiments, if communication is performed via thePCC and SCC (710), the electronic device 101 may control the first powermodulator allocated to the PCC and the second power modulator allocatedto the SCC, thereby performing simultaneous communication (712). Whencommunication is performed through the PA in the PCC and the PA in theSCC, the electronic device 101 may control power output from the firstpower modulator as per any one mode among the envelope tracking mode,average power tracking mode, or bypass mode, and provide the controlledpower to the PA in the PCC (e.g., any one of the PAs supporting the LB,MB, or HB). The electronic device 101 may control power output from thesecond power modulator as per any one mode among the envelope trackingmode, average power tracking mode, or bypass mode, and provide thecontrolled power to the PA in the SCC (e.g., any one of the PAssupporting the LB, MB, or HB). The electronic device 101 may provide theoutputs controlled by the power modulators to the PAs in thecorresponding PA groups, simultaneously performing two-uplink CA andthree-downlink CA. As such, the electronic device 101 may control poweroutput from at least one of the first power modulator or the secondpower modulator by using at least one of the envelope tracking mode, theaverage power tracking mode, or the bypass mode. When three or morepower modulators are configured, and three or more PA groups areconfigured, the electronic device 101 may control power output from eachpower modulator and provide the power to any one of the PCC or SCC.

According to various embodiments, upon performing data communicationusing the PCC alone (714), the electronic device 101 may control thefirst power modulator allocated to the PCC, performing communication(716). Upon performing communication by using only the PCC between thePCC and the SCC, the electronic device 101 may control the first powermodulator allocated to the PCC to perform communication and deactivatethe second power modulator allocated to the SCC to prevent power frombeing supplied to the SCC.

According to various embodiments, when it is not the case where datacommunication is performed using the PCC alone (714), the electronicdevice 101 may determine whether data communication is performed usingthe SCC alone (718).

According to various embodiments, when data communication is performedusing the SCC alone in step 718, it may be determined whether the uplinkcontrol channel is activated (720). When data communication is notperformed using the PCC alone but performed only using the SCC, theelectronic device 101 may determine whether to activate the uplinkcontrol channel.

According to various embodiments, when the uplink control channel is notactivated in step 720, the electronic device 101 may control the secondcommunication module allocated to the SCC and perform data communication(722). If the uplink control channel is activated, the electronic device101 may activate the first power modulator and the second powermodulator in the power unit 410, transmit uplink control channel signalsthrough the PCC, and perform data communication through the SCC.

According to various embodiments, when the uplink control channel isactivated in step 720, the electronic device 101 may control the firstpower modulator allocated to the PCC and control the second powermodulator allocated to the SCC, simultaneously performing communication(724). The PCC may stand for ‘primary component carrier’, and the SCCmay stand for ‘secondary component carrier’.

FIG. 8(a) is a view illustrating an example of controlling the outputpower of a power modulator as per an envelope tracking mode according toan embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8(b) is a view illustratingan example of controlling the output power of a power modulator as per amean power tracking mode according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. FIG. 8(c) is a view illustrating an example of controllingthe output power of a power modulator as per a bypass mode according toan embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8(a), the envelope tracking mode is a mode in whichthe voltage supplied to the PA is controlled and supplied as per theenvelope 810 of the transmit signal. Since voltage is supplied accordingto the PA output power, power usage efficiency is increased. In otherwords, the usage efficiency of the PA is elevated. However, theoperation of changing the voltage as per the envelope 810 of thetransmit signal requires additional current consumption, thus reducingthe power production efficiency. Thus, the envelope tracking mode may beused when the current reduced by the PA usage efficiency is more thanthe current additionally consumed by the power production efficiency.For example, the envelope tracking mode may be used when the PA outputis high (e.g., high power of 20 dBm or more).

Referring to FIG. 8(b), the average power tracking mode is a mode inwhich voltage is controlled and supplied to the PA fitting the average820 of the transmit output power. The average power tracking mode, ascompared with the envelope tracking mode, may have a lower PA useefficiency but higher power production efficiency. For this reason, ifthe average power tracking mode is used for mid-band PA output (e.g.,low power less than 20 dBm), current consumption may effectively bereduced.

Referring to FIG. 8(c), the bypass mode is a mode for supplying aconstant voltage 830 (e.g., battery voltage) regardless of transmitoutput. When an enhancement in the PA use efficiency is tiny despiteusing the envelope tracking mode or average power tracking mode or morecurrent consumption may instead occur due to APT mode driving, forexample, when the output voltage of the PA is close to the batteryvoltage, the bypass mode may be used. In another embodiment, the bypassmode may not be used.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may controlpower output from each power modulator according to any one of theabove-described envelope tracking mode, average power tracking mode, orbypass mode and provide the controlled power to the PA.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling the outputpower of a power modulator according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

Now described in detail with reference to FIG. 9 is a process forcontrolling power output from a power modulator according to anembodiment of the present invention.

According to various embodiments, upon transmitting a signal at a hightransmit power (910), the electronic device 101 may control the voltagein the envelope tracking mode (912). The electronic device may controlthe power output from the power modulator as per the envelope trackingmode.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may controlvoltage with an analog signal based on the envelope of the transmittedsignal. Upon transmitting the signal at a mid transmit power rather thanthe high transmit power in step 910, the electronic device 101 maycontrol voltage in the average power tracking mode (918).

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may controlvoltage with a digital signal based on the average transmit power (920).When the signal is not transmitted at the mid transmit power in step916, the electronic device 101 may control voltage in bypass mode (922).

As set forth above, the electronic device 101 may adjust the voltageoutput from the power modulator as per the transmit power of the PA inany (or at least) one of the envelope tracking mode, average powertracking mode, or bypass mode and provide the adjusted voltage to thePA. To that end, the electronic device 101 generates a control signal tocontrol the voltage output from the power modulator. For example, whenthe PA operates at a high transmit power, the processor 120 sets themode of the power modulator to the envelope tracking mode via the MIPI.The processor 120 generates a voltage signal (e.g., an analog signal)proportional to the envelope of the transmit signal and transfers thevoltage signal to the power modulator. The power modulator may determinethe output voltage partially based on the voltage signal. The processor120 may transfer additional information about the output voltage throughthe MIPI to the power modulator. When the power modulator is operated inthe average power tracking mode, the processor 120 may set the mode ofthe power modulator to the average power tracking mode, and the voltagecontrol signal based on the average transmit output power may bedelivered through the MIPI to the power modulator. The power modulatoroutputs the voltage based on the delivered voltage control signal.According to another embodiment, the output voltage control signals asper the average power tracking mode and the envelope tracking mode mayboth be analog signals or digital signals. In the envelope trackingmode, the power modulator may be voltage-controlled in an analog form,and in the average power tracking mode, the power modulator may bevoltage-controlled in a digital form.

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example electronic deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 10, the electronic device 101 may include acommunication processor 480, an RF circuit unit 470, an antenna unit420, and a power unit 410. The power unit 410 may include a first powermodulator 411 and a second power modulator 412. The RF circuit unit 470may include a transceiver 430, a first RF 1070, and a second RF 1080.Although not shown, the electronic device 101 may further include adiversity unit (not shown) including a receiving circuit, a thirdantenna supporting an LB and at least one MB, and a fourth antennasupporting at least one MB and an HB. The third antenna and the fourthantenna may be diversity antennas.

According to various embodiments, the first power modulator 411 may beincluded in or provided separately from the first RF 1070, and thesecond power modulator 412 may be included in or provided separatelyfrom the second RF 1080. The first power modulator 411 and the secondpower modulator 412 may include envelope tracking power control circuits411 a and 412 a to control power output as per the envelope trackingmode and average power tracking power control circuits 411 b and 412 bto control power output as per the average power tracking mode. Thefirst power modulator 411 and the second power modulator 412 may includean interface to receive control signals through the MIPI from thecommunication processor 480.

According to various embodiments, the communication processor 480 mayreceive an I/Q signal, produce a first transmit I/Q signal and a secondtransmit I/Q signal, and produce a first control signal to control theRF circuit unit 470 and a second control signal to control at least onepower modulator of the power unit 410.

According to various embodiments, the communication processor 480 mayconnect the first antenna to any one of PAs, supporting the LB, MB, orHB, in the first PA group through the produced first control signal, setthe power mode of the first power modulator to any one of the envelopetracking mode, average power tracking mode, or bypass mode, selectivelyconnect the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB to any one of aBPF, a duplexer, or a quadplexer, set the power mode and bias voltage ofthe connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB, and the enable/disable ofthe first power modulator, and set the transmit/receive path as per theconnected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB, to enable.

According to various embodiments, the communication processor 480 mayconnect the second antenna to any one of PAs, supporting the LB, MB, orHB, in the second PA group through the produced second control signal,set the power mode of the second power modulator to any one of theenvelope tracking mode, average power tracking mode, or bypass mode,selectively connect the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB to anyone of a BPF, a duplexer, or a quadplexer, set the power mode and biasvoltage of the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB, and theenable/disable of the first power modulator, and set the transmit pathas per the connected PA supporting the LB, MB, or HB, to enable.

According to various embodiments, the communication processor 480 mayreceive baseband signals (e.g., I/Q signals) through the RF circuit unit470 and demodulate the received I/Q signals. The communication processor480 delivers data-demodulated I/Q signals to the RF circuit unit 470.The I/Q signals delivered to the RF circuit unit 470 are converted intoRF band signals via the LPF and mixer. The converted RF band signals areamplified by the PGA and are then transferred to the PA.

According to various embodiments, the RF circuit unit 470 may include atransceiver 430, a first RF 1070, and a second RF 1080. The transceiver430 may include an interface to receive control signals through the MIPIfrom the communication processor 480 and may include a switch, an LNA, aPGA, a mixer, and an LPF to transmit and receive signals to/from the PAsin the first RF 1070 and the PAs in the second RF 1080. The transceiver430 may include at least one LPF to change the cut-off frequency ofsignals output from the communication processor 480, at least onetransmit (Tx) mixer to upcovert the signals and baseband I/Q signals, atleast one switch to switch signals output from the Tx mixer to atransmit gain adjuster, and at least one transmit gain adjuster toadjust gain as per the controlled power and provide it to the PA. Thetransceiver 430 may include a shared unit 431 including at least one Txphase-locked loop (PLL) and at least one Rx PLL shared by the first RF1070 and the second RF 1080.

According to various embodiments, the RF circuit unit 470 may include afirst PA group (e.g., the first RF) including at least one PA and asecond PA group (e.g., the second RF) including at least one PA. The PAmay be any one of PAs supporting an LB, an MB, or an HB. The LB may be aPA with a frequency ranging from 600 MHz to 1 GHz, the MB may be a PAwith a frequency ranging from 1.5 GHz to 2.2 GHz, and the HB may be a PAwith a frequency ranging from 1.8 GHz to 5 GHz. The RF circuit unit 470may include a path selector including at least one diplexer to separateLB and MB signals, at least one duplexer to separate transmitted andreceived signals, and a PA to amplify output signals as per the gainadjusted in the transceiver 430.

According to various embodiments, the PA and the duplexer may bemodularized. For example, the HB 2 1020 of the second RF 1080 may beconfigured in a module including the PA 1021 and the duplexer 1022,which may be called a power amplifier including duplexer (PAD). Switchesand a plurality of PAs supporting other frequency bands may bemodularized. For example, The LB/MB2 1010 of the second RF 1080 may beconfigured in a module including the PA 1011 supporting the LB band, thePA 1012 supporting the MB band, and the switches 1013 and 1014selectively connecting to the output port, which may be called amulti-mode multi-band (MMMB) PA. Each PA may amplify signals as pervarious communication standards (e.g., LTE or UMTS).

According to various embodiments, the PA and the switch duplexer may bemodularized. For example, the HB1 1030 of the first RF 1070 may beconfigured in a module including the switch 1037 to selectively connectthe first antenna 421 to the internal duplexer 1033 or external input, aplurality of BPFs 1034 supporting other bands, PAs 1031 and 1032, andswitches 1035 and 1036 to selectively connect the PA and the duplexer.The MB1 1040 of the first RF 1070 may be configured in a moduleincluding the switch 1037 to selectively connect the second antenna 422to the external input, the quadplexer 1043, the PA 1041, the switch 1042to selectively connect the PA 1041 and the quadplexer 1043, and theswitch 1044 to selectively connect the second antenna and the quadplexer1043. The LB1 1050 of the first RF 1070 may be configured in a moduleincluding the switch 1037 to selectively connect the second antenna 422to the internal duplexer 1053 or the external input, the PA 051, theswitch 1052 to selectively connect the PA and the duplexer, and theswitch 1055 to selectively connect the second antenna and the duplexer1053.

For example, when the TDD is supported, a switch may be further includedto selectively connect the BPF to the Rx port (connected with the LNA)of the transceiver 430 or the PA. For example, the HB1 1030 of the firstRF 1070 may further include a B41 1034 which is a TDD, which may becalled a power amplifier module include duplexer (PAMID).

According to various embodiments, each module may be formed as a modulesupporting the LB/MB/HB. Such modularization may save parts. Forexample, parts with similar frequency characteristics may be shared bymodularizing parts with similar frequency bands. Further, the space formounting may be reduced. Further, design sharing may be possible forelectronic devices. For example, the LB1 1050 may be modularized (PAMID)with B5/B8 band parts, the MB1 1040 may be modularized with B1/B3 bandparts, and the HB1 1030 may be modularized with B7/B41 band parts. Inusing each module, other combinations may be configured as well. Forexample, all may be configured in a PAMID or in a combination of aPAMID, MMMB, and PAD, which may be determined depending on designutility.

According to various embodiments, control signals (e.g., frontendcontrol signals) generated by the communication processor 480 mayinclude control signals to control the PA and switch in the PAMIDthrough the MIPI, control signals to control the PA and switch in theMMMB, control signals to control the PA in the PAD, control signals tocontrol the first power modulator, control signals to control the secondpower modulator, control signals to control switches, and controlsignals to control each switch. A GPIO may be connected to thecommunication processor 480 via a separate control signal.

The control signal to control the switch in the PAMID may connect theduplexer to the transmit/receive path or the external input and theinput/output port (e.g., antenna connection part) of the PAMID as perselected bands. The control signal to control the PA in the PAMID mayperform control, such as PA power mode, bias voltage, andenable/disable, depending on determined transmit power/whether it isused. The PA power mode may be set to a high power mode if thedetermined transmit output is high and to a low power mode if thedetermined transmit output is low. In low power mode, a low-poweramplifier may be used to output signals. In high power mode, aPA-embedded, high-power amplifier may be used to output signals. Thelow-power amplifier and the high-power amplifier may be connected inseries. The high-power amplifier may be positioned at the seriestermination. In high-power mode, the two series-connected amplifiers maybe operated together, as the overall gain, presenting the sum of therespective gains of the two amplifiers. In the series-connected state,the high-power amplifier may be bypassed and used in low-power mode. Thebypass voltage may be controlled as per the determined outputpower/gain.

The control signal to control the switch in the MMMB may selectivelyconnect to the output port as per a selected band. The control signal tocontrol the PA in the MMMB may perform control, such as PA power mode,bias voltage, and enable/disable, depending on determined transmitpower/whether it is used. The control signal to control the PA in thePAD performs control, such as PA power mode, bias voltage, andenable/disable, depending on the determined transmit power/whether it isused.

The first power modulator and second power modulator control signals mayallow the power modulators to select to operate in the envelope trackingmode, average power tracking mode, or bypass mode. The output voltageand current and average power tracking mode/envelope tracking modeoperation-related control may be performed. Upon controlling to allowthe first and second power modulators to operate in the envelopetracking mode, a control voltage proportional to the first Tx envelopeand the second Tx envelope may be provided through the DAC to theenvelope tracking power control circuit. The envelope tracking powercontrol circuit may control output voltage as per the received controlvoltage. The envelope of the signal output from the communicationprocessor 480 may be obtained from Equation 1 below.

Amplitude(√{square root over ((I²+Q²))})   [Equation 1]

When the power modulator operates in the average power tracking mode,the communication processor 480 may deliver the corresponding voltagevalue to the average power tracking power control circuit based on themean output power through the control signal (MIPI). The average powertracking power control circuit may control output voltage as per thereceived voltage value. According to another embodiment, thecommunication processor 480 may transfer the mean output power throughthe control signal to the average power tracking power control circuit,and the average power tracking power control circuit may output thecorresponding voltage based on the mean output power.

The first and second power modulators may operate in the envelopetracking mode, average power tracking mode, or bypass mode depending onthe output power of their respective connected PAs. For example, if thePA connected to the first power modulator operates at high power, andthe PA connected to the second power modulator operates at mid power,the first power modulator may operate in the envelope tracking mode, andthe second power modulator may operate in the average power trackingmode.

The switch control signal connected to the switch may control toselectively connect the MB quadplexer to the external input of the HB1PAMID or the external input of the MB1 PAMID as per the uplink CAscheme.

The transceiver 430 may receive, from the communication processor 480,the LNA control signal, Tx PGA control signal, LNA selection controlsignal, Rx mixer control signal, Tx mixer control signal, LPF controlsignal, Rx PGA control signal, Tx PLL control signal (not shown), and RxPLL control signal (not shown), which are generated by the communicationprocessor 480. Although the control signals are represented as beingjointly connected to parts of the same type in the drawings for ease ofdescription, this is merely an example, and the control signals mayseparately be connected and controlled.

The LNA control signal may perform control, such as LNAenable/disable/bypass. The Tx PGA control signal may change the gain ofthe Tx PGA according to the determined transmit power and may performcontrol, such as enable/disable, depending on whether it is used. The TxPGA selection signal may connect a Tx PGA supporting a communicationfrequency band to the Tx mixer based on the frequency band. The LNAselection control signal may connect an LNA supporting a communicationfrequency band to the mixer based on the frequency band. The Tx mixercontrol signal may control, e.g., enable/disable or mixer gain. The Txmixer may mix the transmit frequency signal generated by the Tx PLL andthe baseband I/Q signal, producing a transmit signal. The Rx mixercontrol signal may control, e.g., enable/disable or mixer gain. The Rxmixer may mix the receive frequency signal generated by the Rx PLL andthe receive signal, producing a baseband I/Q signal. The LPF controlsignal may change the cut-off frequency depending on the usedcommunication standard (e.g., LTE, WCDMA, or GSM). The Rx PGA controlsignal may control the gain of the Rx PGA depending on the strength ofthe received signal. Enable/disable may be controlled depending onwhether it is used.

The shared unit 431 may produce a first Tx PLL control signal, a secondTx PLL control signal, a first Rx PLL control signal, a second Rx PLLcontrol signal, and a third Rx PLL control signal which are shared bythe first RF 1070 and the second RF 1080. The Tx PLL control signal maygenerate a transmit frequency signal of the communication frequencyband. The generated transmit frequency signal is supplied to the mixer.When the electronic device supports uplink CA, the transceiver 430 mayinclude a plurality of Tx PLLs and may selectively supply a plurality oftransmit frequencies to the Tx mixers. For example, referring to FIG.10, since two-uplink CA is supported, the first Tx PLL and the second TxPLL are included. The Rx PLL control signal may generate a receivefrequency signal of the communication frequency band. The generatedreceive frequency signal is supplied to the mixer. When the electronicdevice supports downlink CA, the transceiver 430 may include a pluralityof Rx PLLs and may selectively supply a plurality of receive frequenciesto the Rx mixers. Referring to FIG. 10, since three-downlink CA issupported, the first Rx PLL, the second Rx PLL, and the third Rx PLL areincluded. According to another embodiment, the PLL may be usedregardless of Rx/Tx.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of performing uplinkCA with two diversity antennas according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 11, a diversity unit 1130 is added to the structure ofFIG. 5 a, allowing two-uplink CA and 4^(th)-order diversity tosimultaneously be performed. What overlaps FIG. 5a is not repeatedlydescribed. The diversity unit 1130 may include a third antenna 1131 anda fourth antenna 1136. The third antenna 1131 may be connected to an RFdiversity LB unit 1139 a including a first bandpass filter 1133 and anLB 1151 and a first RF diversity MB unit 1139 b including a secondbandpass filter 1134 and a first MB 1135, and the fourth antenna 1136may be connected to a second RF diversity MB unit 1139 c including athird bandpass filter 1137 and a second MB 1138 and a second RFdiversity HB unit 1139 d including a fourth bandpass filter 1154 and anHB 1152. The diversity unit 1130 may function to receive signals from abase station to enhance the quality of signals received from the basestation. The diversity unit 1130 may include a second diplexer 1132 totransfer signals to the RF diversity LB unit 1139 a and the first RFdiversity MB unit 1139 b as per the band of the signal received throughthe third antenna 1131. The RF diversity LB unit 1139 a may include thefirst bandpass filter 1133 to provide signals output from the seconddiplexer 1132 to the LNA, and the first RF diversity MB unit 1139 b mayinclude the second bandpass filter 1134 to provide signals output fromthe second diplexer 1132 to the first MB 1135. The diversity unit 1130may include a fifth switch 1153 to switch to the second MB 1138 and theHB 1152 depending on the band of the signal received through the fourthantenna 1136.

Signal reception is described. It is first assumed that the first switch1146 connects the first diplexer 1142 and the first duplexer 1115 of thefirst RF 1110, the second switch 1147 connects the first diplexer 1142and the second duplexer 1116 of the first RF 1110, the third switch 1144connects the second antenna 1143 and the fourth switch 1148, the fourthswitch 1148 connects the third switch 1144 and the second duplexer 1126of the second RF 1120, and the fifth switch 1153 connects the fourthantenna 1136 and the third bandpass filter 1137. In this case, there maybe a first example in which the received signal passes through the firstantenna 1141, the first diplexer 1142, and the first duplexer 1115 ofthe first RF, a second example in which the received signal passesthrough the first antenna 1141, the first diplexer 1142, and the secondduplexer 1116 of the first RF, a third example in which the receivedsignal passes through the second antenna 1143, the third switch 1144,the fourth switch 1148, and the second duplexer 1126 of the second RF, afourth example in which the received signal passes through the thirdantenna 1131 of the diversity unit 1130, the second diplexer 1132, andthe second bandpass filter 1134, and a fifth example in which thereceived signal passes through the fourth antenna 1136 of the diversityunit 1130, the fifth switch 1153, and the third bandpass filter 1137.The electronic device 101 may simultaneously perform the first, second,third, fourth, and fifth examples, simultaneously receiving the signals.

Signal transmission is described. There may be a first example in whicha signal output from the transceiver is transmitted, by the voltageoutput from the first power modulator 1111, through the LB PA 1112 ofthe first RF 1110, the first bandpass filter 1115 of the first RF, thefirst switch 1146, and the first diplexer 1142, and then through thefirst antenna 1141 and a second example in which the signal istransmitted, by the voltage output from the second power modulator 1121,through the MB PA 1123 of the second RF 1120, the second bandpass filter1126 of the second RF, the fourth switch 1148, and the third switch 1144and then the first antenna 1141. The electronic device 101 maysimultaneously perform the first and second examples, simultaneouslytransmitting the signals.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of performing uplinkCA with two diversity antennas according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 12, the duplexer connected to the MB 1207 of the firstRF 1210 in the structure of FIG. 11 is replaced with a quadplexer 1209,the duplexer connected to the MB 1210 of the second RF 1220 is replacedwith a quadplexer 1212, the duplexer 1134 of the diversity unit 1130 isreplaced with a second duplexer 1209 supporting the MB1 1202 and MB21203, and the duplexer 1137 of the diversity unit 1130 is replaced witha third duplexer 1209 supporting the MB3 1205 and the MB4 1206, and whatoverlaps FIG. 11 is not repeatedly described. In the structure of FIG.12, upon uplink CA through the MB and HB, the first antenna 1141 isoccupied by the transceiver of the MB of the first RF, and the secondantenna 1143 is occupied by the transceiver of the HB of the second RFunit, so that it may be impossible to support 4th order diversity(diversity with four receive paths) requiring four receive paths in thesame band. Upon uplink CA through a first band in the MB and a secondband in the MB, the first antenna 1141 is occupied by the transceiver ofthe first band in the MB of the first RF, and the second antenna 1143 isoccupied by the transceiver of the second band in the MB of the secondRF unit, so that it may be impossible to support 4th order diversityrequiring four receive paths in the same band. The quadplexers 1209 and1212 may support the first and second bands in the MB. The switch (e.g.,the fifth switch 1208) added between the MB PA 1207 of the first RF 1210and the quadplexer 1209 and the switch (e.g., the sixth switch 1211)added between the MB 1210 of the second RF 1220 and the quadplexer 1212may selectively connect the MB to the first band transmit end and thesecond band transmit end. The diversity unit 1130 including the thirdantenna 1131 and the fourth antenna 1136 may also add a duplexer 1209 toseparate the first band receive band and second band receive band in theMB and one LNA 1203 or 1206 for MB per antenna. Such a structure enablessimultaneous receipt of the first and second bands per antenna. Thus,the 4th order diversity of the first band and second band are renderedpossible while performing uplink CA and downlink CA using the first band(e.g., MB1) and second band (e.g., MB2) in the MB.

In some cases, a BPF and LNA may be configured instead of the duplexeradded to the fourth antenna 1136. In this case, only one of the firstband or second band may be operated in 4th order diversity, and theother may be operated, in maximum, in 3rd order diversity. Table 2 belowrepresents, as a switching connection method, switching operationconfigurations as per band combinations of uplink CA using the MB of thefirst RF and the MB of the second RF and downlink CA using the LB of thefirst RF, the MB of the first RF, and the MB of the second RF.

TABLE 2 sec- UL DL first ond third fourth fifth sixth seventh CA CA SWSW SW SW SW SW SW LB/ LB/ first sec- sec- sec- first second MB HB MB/ LBond ond ond band band du- HB MB an- MB (MB (MB plexer tenna 1) 2) firstsecond MB MB PA PA

In Table 2, the bands denoted in bold are bands playing a role as firstRF (e.g., PCC), and the bands in regular thickness are bands playing arole as second RF (e.g., SCC).

Signal reception is described. It is first assumed that the first switch1246 connects the first diplexer and the first duplexer of the first RF1210, the second switch 1247 connects the first diplexer and thequadplexer 1209 of the first RF 1210, the third switch 1144 connects thesecond antenna 1143 and the fourth switch 1248, the fourth switch 1248connects the third switch 1144 and the quadplexer 1212 of the second RF1220, and the fifth switch 1253 connects the fourth antenna 1136 and thethird duplexer of the diversity unit 1130. In this case, there may be afirst example in which the received signal passes through the firstantenna 1141, the first diplexer 1142, and the first duplexer 1115 ofthe first RF 1210, a second example in which the received signal passesthrough the first antenna 1141, the first diplexer 1142, and thequadplexer 1209 of the first RF, a third example in which the receivedsignal passes through the second antenna 1143, the third switch 1144,the fourth switch 1248, and the quadplexer 1212 of the second RF, afourth example in which the received signal passes through the thirdantenna 1131 of the diversity unit 1130, the diplexer 1132, and thesecond duplexer 1209, and a fifth example in which the received signalpasses through the fourth antenna 1136 of the diversity unit 1130, thefifth switch 1253, and the third duplexer 1137. The electronic device101 may simultaneously perform the first, second, third, fourth, andfifth examples, simultaneously receiving the signals. The second exampleof passing through the quadplexer 1209 of the first RF, the thirdexample of passing through the quadplexer 1212 of the second RF, thefourth example of passing through the second duplexer, and the fifthexample of passing through the third duplexer may simultaneously receivethe first band and second band in the MB. For example, the first band inthe MB may receive four signals from each antenna, and the second bandin the MB may receive four signals from each antenna.

Signal transmission is described. There may be a first example in which,for a signal output from the transceiver, a transmit signal amplified bysupplying the voltage output from the first power modulator 1211 to theMB PA 1207 of the first RF 1210 is transmitted through the quadplexer1209 of the first RF, the second switch 1247, and the first diplexer1142, and then through the first antenna 1141 and a second example inwhich a signal amplified by supplying the voltage output from the secondpower modulator 1221 to the MB PA 1210 of the second RF 1220 istransmitted through the quadplexer 1212 of the second RF, the fourthswitch 1248, and the third switch 1144 and then through the secondantenna 1143. The electronic device 101 may simultaneously perform thefirst and second examples, simultaneously transmitting the signals. Thequadplexers 1209 and 1212 of the first and second RFs 1210 and 1220 mayallow two bands of signals to be separated from each other and to besimultaneously received.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process for controlling two-uplinkCA according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Now described in detail with reference to FIG. 13 is a process forcontrolling two-uplink CA according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may receiveI/Q signals (1310) and generate first I/Q and second I/Q signals fortwo-uplink CA (1312). The electronic device 101 may receive the I/Qsignals from the base station. The electronic device 101 may receivebaseband signals (e.g., I/Q signals) through the RF circuit unit 470 anddemodulate the received I/Q signals. The electronic device (e.g., thecommunication processor 480) may transfer the I/Q signals to the RFcircuit unit 470. The I/Q signals delivered to the RF circuit unit 470are converted into RF band signals via the LPF and mixer. The convertedRF band signals are amplified by the PGA and are then transferred to theRF transmit block.

The electronic device 101 may generate control signals to control thecommunication interface and the power unit (1314). The electronic device(e.g., the communication processor 480) may generate control signals tocontrol the communication interface and the power unit and transfer thecontrol signals to the communication interface and the power unit. Thecommunication processor 480 may receive an I/Q signal and produce afirst control signal to control the RF circuit unit 470 and a secondcontrol signal to control at least one power modulator of the power unit410. The communication processor 480 may produce control signals tocontrol the PA and switch in the PAMID through the MIPI, control signalsto control the PA and switch in the MMMB, control signals to control thePA in the PAD, control signals to control the first power modulator,control signals to control the second power modulator, control signalsto control switches, and control signals to control each switch andtransfer the control signals to the RF circuit unit 470. The controlsignal to control the switch in the PAMID may is a signal capable ofconnecting the duplexer to the transmit/receive path or the externalinput and the input/output port (e.g., antenna connection part) of thePAMID as per selected bands. The control signal to control the PA in thePAMID may perform control, such as PA power mode, bias voltage, andenable/disable, depending on the determined transmit power and whetherit is used. The control signal to control the switch in the MMMB is asignal capable of selectively connecting to the output port as per aselected band. The control signal to control the PA in the MMMB is asignal capable of performing control, such as PA power mode, biasvoltage, and enable/disable, depending on the determined transmit powerand whether it is used. The control signal to control the PA in the PADis a signal capable of performing control, such as PA power mode, biasvoltage, and enable/disable, depending on the determined transmit powerand whether it is used. The communication processor 480 may produce theLNA control signal, Tx PGA control signal, LNA selection control signal,Rx mixer control signal, Tx mixer control signal, LPF control signal, RxPGA control signal, Tx PLL control signal (not shown), and Rx PLLcontrol signal (not shown) and transfer the control signals to the RFcircuit unit 470. The LNA control signal may perform a control, such asLNA enable/disable/bypass. The Tx PGA control signal may change the gainof the Tx PGA according to the determined transmit power and may performcontrol, such as enable/disable, depending on whether it is used. The TxPGA selection signal may connect a Tx PGA supporting a communicationfrequency band to the Tx mixer based on the frequency band. The LNAselection control signal may connect an LNA supporting a communicationfrequency band to the mixer based on the frequency band. The Tx mixercontrol signal may control, e.g., enable/disable or mixer gain. The Txmixer may mix the transmit frequency signal generated by the Tx PLL andthe baseband I/Q signal, producing a transmit signal. The Rx mixercontrol signal may control, e.g., enable/disable or mixer gain. The Rxmixer may mix the receive frequency signal generated by the Rx PLL andthe receive signal, producing a baseband I/Q signal. The LPF controlsignal may change the cut-off frequency depending on the usedcommunication standard (e.g., LTE, WCDMA, or GSM). The Rx PGA controlsignal may control the gain of the Rx PGA depending on the strength ofthe received signal. Enable/disable may be controlled depending onwhether it is used.

The electronic device 101 may connect the first antenna to the PAsupporting any one of the LB, MB, and HB of the first RF via theproduced control signal (1316). The RF circuit unit 470 may receive atleast one control signal generated by the communication processor 480.The electronic device 101 may control components of the transceiver inthe communication interface and at least one switch in the path selector440 by using the control signal to connect any one PA supporting the LB,MB, and HB of the first RF with the first antenna. The electronic device101 may set the transmit/receive path as per any one of the PAssupporting the LB, MB, or HB of the first RF to enable.

The electronic device 101 may set the mode for the first power modulatorof the power unit 410 (1318). The electronic device 101 may control thepower output mode of the first power modulator of the power unit 410 byusing at least one control signal generated in step 1314. The electronicdevice 101 may control the power output from the first power modulatorby using any one (or at least one) of the envelope tracking mode inwhich voltage is adjusted as per the envelope of the transmitted signaland is supplied to the PA, the average power tracking mode in whichvoltage is adjusted corresponding to the mean output power of each PAand is supplied to the PA, and the bypass mode in which a constantvoltage is supplied to the PA.

The electronic device 101 may select any one of the BPF, duplexer, andquadplexer and connect any one of the PAs supporting the LB, MB, and HBof the first RF (1320). The electronic device 101 may select any one ofthe BPF, duplexer, and quadplexer by using the control signal andconnect any one of the PAs supporting the LB, MB, and HB of the first RFto the selected one. The PA power mode may be set to a high power modeif the determined transmit output is high and to a low power mode if thedetermined transmit output is low. In low power mode, a low-poweramplifier may be used to output signals. In high power mode, aPA-embedded, high-power amplifier may be used to output signals. Thelow-power amplifier and the high-power amplifier may be connected inseries. The high-power amplifier may be positioned at the seriestermination. In high-power mode, the two series-connected amplifiers maybe operated together, as the overall gain, presenting the sum of therespective gains of the two amplifiers. In the series-connected state,the high-power amplifier may be bypassed and used in low-power mode. Thebypass voltage may be controlled as per the determined outputpower/gain.

The electronic device 101 may set the transmit/receive path to enableusing the control signal, so that any one of the PAs supporting the LB,MB, and HB of the first RF may transmit signals (1322). The electronicdevice 101 may set the transmit/receive path to enable so that signalsmay be transmitted and received through the selected one among the BPF,duplexer, and quadplexer.

The electronic device 101 may circuit-connect the second antenna to anyone of the PAs supporting the LB, MB, and HB of the second RF via thegenerated control signal (1324). The electronic device 101 may controlcomponents of the transceiver in the communication interface and atleast one switch in the path selector 440 by using the control signal toconnect any one PA supporting the LB, MB, and HB of the second RF withthe second antenna. The electronic device 101 may set thetransmit/receive path as per any one of the PAs supporting the LB, MB,or HB of the second RF to enable.

The electronic device 101 may set the mode for the second powermodulator of the power unit 410 (1326). The electronic device 101 maycontrol the power output mode of the second power modulator of the powerunit 410 by using at least one control signal generated in step 1314.The electronic device 101 may control the power output from the secondpower modulator by using any one (or at least one) of the envelopetracking mode in which voltage is adjusted as per the envelope of thetransmitted signal and is supplied to the PA, the average power trackingmode in which voltage is adjusted corresponding to the mean output powerof each PA and is supplied to the PA, and the bypass mode in which aconstant voltage is supplied to the PA.

The electronic device 101 may select any one of the BPF, duplexer, andquadplexer and connect any one of the PAs supporting the LB, MB, and HBof the second RF (1328). The electronic device 101 may select any one ofthe BPF, duplexer, and quadplexer by using the control signal andconnect any one of the PAs supporting the LB, MB, and HB of the secondRF to the selected one.

The electronic device 101 may set the transmit/receive path to enableuse of the control signal, so that any one of the PAs supporting the LB,MB, and HB of the second RF may transmit and receive signals (1322). Theelectronic device 101 may set the transmit/receive path to enable sothat signals may be transmitted and received through the selected oneamong the BPF, duplexer, and quadplexer. In FIG. 13, a and b are 1 or 2,and a and b may be the same. x and y may be one of low (L), mid (M), andhigh (H), and x and y may be the same. Upon downlink CA operation, thereceiving unit may be activated.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an example structure supportingtwo-uplink CA and including an HB according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, the second switch in the structure of FIG. 11 isreplaced with an SP3T 1443 to connect the first RF HB to the firstantenna 1441. The diversity unit 1430 adds an HB LNA 1435 and an HB BPF1434 and is configured to connect to the third antenna 1431 via theswitch 1433. Such a structure enables two-uplink CA and two=dl CA andreceiving signals via four applications in the HB.

Signal reception is described. There may be a first example in which thereceived signal passes through the first antenna 1441, the firstdiplexer 1442, and the first duplexer 1415 of the first RF 1410, asecond example in which the received signal passes through the firstantenna 1441, the first diplexer 1441, the second switch 1443, and theduplexer 1417 of the first RF 1410, a third example in which thereceived signal passes through the second antenna 1444, the switch 1445,and the third duplexer 1427 of the second RF 1420, a fourth example inwhich the received signal passes through the diplexer 1451 of thediversity unit 1430, the switch 1433, and the duplexer 1434, and a fifthexample in which the received signal passes through the fourth antenna1436, the switch 1437, and the duplexer 1438. The electronic device 101may simultaneously perform the first, second, third, fourth, and fifthexamples, simultaneously receiving signals from four antennas in the HB.

Signal transmission is described. There may be a first example in which,for a signal output from the transceiver, a transmit signal amplified bysupplying the voltage output from the first power modulator 1411 to theLB PA 1412 of the first RF 1410 is transmitted through the firstduplexer 1415 of the first RF, the first switch 1246, and the diplexer1442, and then through the first antenna 1441 and a second example inwhich a signal amplified by supplying the voltage output from the secondpower modulator 1421 to the HB PA 1424 of the second RF 1420 istransmitted through the third duplexer 1427 of the second RF, the fifthswitch 1445, and then the second antenna 1444. The electronic device 101may simultaneously perform the first and second examples, simultaneouslytransmitting the signals.

FIG. 15a is a view illustrating an example in which a transceiver and acommunication processor are added according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 15b is a view illustrating an example ofperforming uplink MIMO using an HB while performing uplink CA accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15 a, FIG. 15a excludes the diversity unit 1430 ofFIG. 14 and adds the communication processor 480 and transceiver 1550.Signal reception is described. There are a first example in which asignal passing through the first antenna 1541, the first diplexer 1543,and the first duplexer 1516 of the first RF 1510 is low-noise amplifiedby the LNA 1517 of the first RF 1550, then transmitted through the mixer1518 and is then low-band passed by the LPF 1519, and then transmittedthrough the Rx PGA 1520 to the communication processor 480, a secondexample in which a signal passing through the first antenna 1541, thefirst diplexer 1543, the switch 1544, and the third duplexer 1521 of thefirst RF 1510 is low-noise amplified by the LNA 1522 of the first RF1550, then transmitted through the mixer 1523 and low-band passed by theLPF 1524, and then transmitted through the Rx PGA 1520 to thecommunication processor 480, and a third example in which a signalpassing through the second antenna 1542, the switch 1545, and the thirdduplexer 1536 of the second RF 1530 is low-noise amplified by the LNA1537 of the second RF 1550, then transmitted through the mixer 1538 andlow-band passed by the LPF 1539, and then transmitted through the Rx PGA1540 to the communication processor 480. The electronic device 101 maysimultaneously perform the first to third examples, simultaneouslyreceiving the signals.

Signal transmission is described. There may be a first example in which,for a signal transmitted from the communication processor 480, atransmit signal that is low-band passed by the LPF 1512 of the first RF1510 and then transmitted through the mixer 1513 and the Tx PGA 1514,and amplified by supplying the voltage output from the first powermodulator 1411 to the LB PA 1515 of the first RF 1510 is transmittedthrough the first antenna 1541 and a second example in which a transmitsignal that is low-band passed by the LPF 1532 of the second RF 1530,transmitted through the mixer 1533 and the Tx PGA 1537, and amplified bysupplying the voltage output from the second power modulator 1531 to theHB PA 1535 of the second RF 1530 is transmitted through the secondantenna 1542. The electronic device 101 may simultaneously perform thefirst and second examples, simultaneously transmitting the signals.

Referring to FIG. 15 b, the HB pA 1551 of the first RF 1510 of FIG. 15ais additionally operated. The HB PA 1551 of the first RF 1510 transmits,through the first antenna 1541, a data stream different from a datastream that the HB PA 1535 of the second RF 1530 transmits through thesecond antenna 1542, thereby performing uplink MIMO.

If CA uplink MIMO is performed while LB and HB are performed, the LB PA1515 and the HB PA 1551 may receive power through one power modulator.For example, in the case of envelope tracking mode, the output power ofthe power modulator with respect to the envelope of the PA with thehighest power output may be determined by Equation 2 below.

V _(envTx)=max(V _(envTx[1]) , V _(envTx[2]) . . . , V_(envTx[n]))+Offset   [Equation 2]

In Equation 2, V_(envTx[n]) is the control voltage of the powermodulator reflecting the transmit envelope of the nth PA, and V_(envTx)is the control voltage of the power modulator selecting a controlvoltage among the control voltages determined by the PAs to supply powerto the plurality of PAs. An offset may be added for stable power supply.In the average power tracking mode, the output power of the powermodulator is likewise controlled with respect to the highest mean outputpower so that power may be supplied from one power modulator to aplurality of PAs.

FIG. 16a is a view illustrating an example of randomly connecting afirst RF and a second RF to a first antenna and a second antenna via oneswitch according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16b isa view illustrating an example in which a switch is added to swapconnection between a first antenna connected with an LB of a first RFand a third antenna connected with a diversity unit of the LB accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16c is a viewillustrating an example of swapping connection between the first antennaconnected with the LB of the first RF and the third antenna connectedwith the diversity unit of the LB via the switch added in FIG. 16 b.FIG. 16d is a view illustrating an example of using a diplexer insteadof the switch to selectively connect the first antenna with the thirdantenna in FIG. 16 b.

Referring to FIG. 16 a, the MB and HB of the first RF 1510 and the MBand HB of the second RF add a switch 1610 that may randomly connect tothe first antenna and the second antenna. Other switch combinations toperform the functionality of the switch 1610 are also possible. Thediversity unit 1540 adds the HB LNA 1541 to be connected through thethird antenna and switch. The LB PA, MB PA, and HB PA of the first RF1510 and the LB PA, MB PA, and HB PA of the second RF 1530 may beconfigured in a single communication interface, but the presentinvention is not limited thereto, and they may be configured in multiplecommunication interfaces included in the corresponding frequency band.The plurality of PAs and the first antenna or second antenna mayselectively be connected through the switch 1610. Although the diversityunit 1540 includes one bandpass filter and the LNAs of the LB, MB1, MB2,HB1, and HB2, this is merely an example, and a plurality of PAs includedin the corresponding frequency band may be included.

Referring to FIG. 16 b, the first antenna 1621 connected to the first RF1510 and the third antenna 1627 connected to the diversity unit 1540 maybe swapped for connection, and a switch SPDT may be included in thediversity unit and the swap main unit switch (DPDT). The first antenna1621 may be connected with the LB 1628 of the first RF 1510, and thethird antenna 1627 may be connected to the LB 1626.

Referring to FIG. 16 c, the third antenna 1627 may be connected to theLB of the first RF depending on the switching state of the switch 1625,and the first antenna 1621 may be connected to another LB receiving unit(LB downlink) of the diversity unit 1540. The first antenna 1621 and theLB receiving unit may add a BPF.

Referring to FIG. 16 d, diplexers 1631 and 1624 may be used instead ofthe switch in order to selectively connect the second antenna 1629 andthe fourth antenna 1630. To selectively connect the MB circuit of thefirst RF or the MB circuit of the second RF to the first antenna orsecond antenna, a switch 1628 may be added.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view illustrating an electronic device 101according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 17, a display 1701 may be installed on the frontsurface 1707 of the electronic device 101. A speaker device 1702 may beinstalled on an upper portion of the display 1701 in order to receivethe opposite party's voice. A microphone device 1703 may be installed ona lower portion of the display 1701 in order to send the voice of theuser of the electronic device to the opposite party.

According to an embodiment, components for performing various functionsof the electronic device 1700 may be arranged around the speaker device1702. The components may include at least one sensor module 1704. Thesensor module 1704 may include at least one of, e.g., an illuminationsensor (e.g., an optical sensor), a proximity sensor, an infrared (IR)sensor, or an ultrasonic sensor. According to an embodiment, thecomponents may include a camera device 1705. According to an embodiment,the components may include a light emitting diode (LED) indicator 1706to provide state information about the electronic device 101 to theuser.

According to various embodiments, the electronic device 101 may includea metal bezel 1710 (which may be provided as at least a portion of ametal housing). According to an embodiment, the metal bezel 1710 may beformed along an edge of the electronic device 101 and may expand to atleast a portion of the rear surface of the electronic device 101, whichextends from the edge. According to an embodiment, the metal bezel 1710may be defined as a thickness of the electronic device 101 along theedge of the electronic device 2300 and may be shaped as a loop. However,the metal bezel 1710 is not limited thereto, and the metal bezel 2310may be formed in such a manner as to at least partially contribute tothe thickness of the electronic device 300. According to an embodiment,the metal bezel 1710 may be formed only in at least a portion of theedge of the electronic device 101. According to an embodiment, the metalbezel 1710 may include at least one separator 1715 and 1716. Accordingto an embodiment, unit bezel portions separated by the separators 1715and 1716 may be utilized as antenna radiators operating on at least onefrequency band.

According to various embodiments, the metal bezel 1710 may be shaped asa loop along the edge and may be disposed in such a way as tocontribute, in whole or part, to the thickness of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, when the electronic device 101 isviewed from the front, the metal bezel 1710 may include a right bezelportion 1711, a left bezel portion 1712, an upper bezel portion 1713,and a lower bezel portion 1714. Here, the lower bezel portion 1714 mayserve as unit bezel portions formed by a pair of separators 1716.

According to various embodiments, a main antenna device may be disposedin a lower portion (main portion antenna area) of the electronic device101. According to an embodiment, the lower bezel portion 1714 may beused as a main antenna radiator by the pair of separators 1716.According to an embodiment, the lower bezel portion 1714 may serve as anantenna radiator operating on at least two operating frequency bandsaccording to the position of power feeding. For example, the lower bezelportion 1714 may be part of an antenna supporting the LB, MB, HB or MB,or HB band.

According to various embodiments, the configuration of the antennadevice is merely an example, and the above-described functions of thelower bezel portion 1714 may instead, or together with, be performed bythe upper bezel portion 1713 separated by other separators 1715. In thiscase, the diversity unit antenna area of FIG. 17 may be utilized as anantenna for diversity MIMO. For example, the upper bezel portion 1714may be part of a diversity antenna supporting the LB, H/MB band or H/MBband.

According to various embodiments, the right bezel portion 1711 or theleft bezel portion 1712 may also be powered in order to operate as anantenna. For example, the right bezel portion 1711 or the left bezelportion 1712 may be part of an antenna supporting the H/MB or LB, H/MBband. The antenna including the right bezel portion 1711 or the leftbezel portion 1712 included in the main portion antenna area may beoperated as a main antenna (e.g., the first antenna). The antennaincluding the right bezel portion 1711 or the left bezel portion 1712included in the antenna area of the diversity unit may be operated as adiversity antenna.

FIG. 18 is a view illustrating an example in which an antenna of a boxeris mounted in an electronic device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention.

Referring to FIG. 18, a first antenna 1810 supports the LB and H/MBband, and a second antenna 1820 supports the H/MB band. Here, the reasonwhy only one antenna supports the LB band is that the LB band has arelatively long wavelength, causing the antenna to be bulky, hencerendering it difficult to add a plurality of LB-supporting antennas inthe main portion of the terminal. Although addable, they are positionedclose to each other, likely causing correlation/isolation issues. Thisis why a longer wavelength leads to an increase in the antennaseparation distance required for a diversity or MIMO operation.

Where a diversity unit is added as shown in FIG. 18, a third antenna1830 and a fourth antenna 1840 are included. To raise thecorrelation/isolation characteristics, the first and second antennas1810 and 1820 of the main portion are typically included in the lowerend portion of the terminal, and the third and fourth antennas 1830 and1840 of the diversity unit may be included in the upper end of theelectronic device 101. The third antenna 1830 supports the LB and H/MBband, and the fourth antenna 1840 supports the H/MB band. Therefore,although a plurality of LB band antennas is included, a possible antennaisolation distance may be secured inside the electronic device.

The above-described structure enables reception with four antennas inthe H/MB band and two antennas in the LB band. In other words, 4th orderdiversity/MIMO may be performed in the H/MB band, and 2nd orderdiversity/MIMO may be performed in the LB band.

FIG. 19 is a view illustrating a configuration of an antenna deviceaccording to various embodiments of the present invention.

According to various embodiments, the metal bezel of FIG. 19 may besimilar to or different from the metal bezel of FIG. 17.

Referring to FIG. 19, the metal bezel, when viewed from the front, mayinclude a right bezel portion 1931, a left bezel portion 1932, a lowerbezel portion 1934, and an upper bezel portion 1933. According to anembodiment of the present invention, the lower bezel portion 1934 mayremain separated from the right bezel portion 1931 and the left bezelportion 1932 by a pair of separators 1936 formed at a predeterminedinterval. The upper bezel portion 1933 may remain separated from theright bezel portion 1931 and the left bezel portion 1932 by a pair ofseparators 1935 formed at a predetermined interval. According to anembodiment, the pair of separators may be formed of a dielectric.According to an embodiment of the present invention, the pair ofseparators may be formed in such a manner that a synthetic resin isdouble-injected or double-molded in the metal bezel formed of a metal.However, the pair of separators may adopt other various insulativematerials or substances without limited thereto.

According to various embodiments, a predetermined first power feedingpiece may be formed integrally with the side bezel portion, and thefirst power feeding piece may be powered by a first power feeder of theboard (PCB). According to an embodiment, the first power feeding pieceof the lower bezel portion may be connected to the first power feeder ofthe board simply by the operation by which the board is installed in theelectronic device.

According to various embodiments, a first power feeding pad may bedisposed on the board, and the first power feeding pad may electricallybe connected with the first power feeding piece of the lower bezelportion. According to an embodiment, a first electrical path (e.g., awiring line) may be formed from the first power feeding pad to the firstpower feeder. The lower bezel portion may be part of the first antenna1810 of the main portion supporting the LB, H/MB, or H/MB band. The leftbezel portion 1932 and the right bezel portion 1931 may be powered inthe same manner The left bezel portion 1932 and the right bezel portion1931 may be part of the second antenna 1820 of the main portionsupporting the LB, H/MB, or H/MB band.

According to various embodiments, a first grounding piece may integrallybe formed with the lower bezel portion 1934 in a position apredetermined distance away from the power feeding piece, and the firstgrounding piece may be grounded to the first ground portion of the boardPCB. According to an embodiment, the first grounding piece of the lowerbezel portion may be grounded to the first ground portion of the boardsimply by the operation by which the board is installed in theelectronic device.

According to various embodiments, a first grounding pad may be disposedon the board, and the first grounding pad may electrically be connectedwith the first grounding piece of the lower bezel portion. According toan embodiment, a second electrical path (e.g., a wiring line) may beformed from the first grounding pad to the first grounding portion.

According to various embodiments, a predetermined second power feedingpiece may be formed integrally with the right bezel portion 1931, andthe second power feeding piece may be powered by a second power feederof the board (PCB). According to an embodiment, the second power feedingpiece of the lower bezel portion 1934 may be connected to the secondpower feeder of the board or electrically connected by a separateelectrical connecting member (e.g., a C clip) simply by the operation bywhich the board is installed in the electronic device.

According to various embodiments, a second power feeding pad may bedisposed on the board, and the second power feeding pad may electricallybe connected with the second power feeding piece of the lower bezelportion 1934. According to an embodiment, a third electrical path (e.g.,a wiring line) may be formed from the second power feeding pad to thesecond power feeder. The right bezel portion may be part of the secondantenna 1820 of the main portion supporting the LB, H/MB, or H/MB band.

According to various embodiments, a second grounding piece may be formedintegrally with the right bezel portion in a position a predetermineddistance away from the separator, and the second grounding piece may begrounded to the second grounding portion of the board PCB. According toan embodiment, the second grounding piece of the right bezel portion1931 may be grounded to the second grounding portion of the board orelectrically connected by a separate electrical connecting member (e.g.,a C clip) simply by the operation by which the board is installed in theelectronic device.

According to various embodiments, a second grounding pad may be disposedon the board, and the second grounding pad may electrically be connectedwith the second grounding piece of the right bezel portion 1931.According to an embodiment, a fourth electrical path (e.g., a wiringline) may be formed from the second grounding pad to the secondgrounding portion.

The power feeder of the main portion and the power feeding pad, and thegrounding portion and the grounding pad may be disposed on the sub PCB.The RF circuits 1910 and 1920 of the diversity unit and the main portionmay be disposed on the main PCB. The main PCB and the sub PCB may beconnected with each other via an FPCB. The sub PCB may integrally beformed with the FPCB.

The sub PCB may be disposed lower than the main PCB on the vertical linein the terminal. Thus, parts included in the sub PCB may be furtherspaced apart from the antenna. Relatively thick parts, such as USBconnector or speaker may be disposed on the sub PCB.

Transmission/reception signals or reception signals of the RF circuit ofthe main portion may be transferred to the first and second powerfeeders of the sub PCB via coaxial cables.

According to various embodiments, transmission/reception signals orreception signals of the RF circuit of the main portion may betransferred to the first and second power feeders of the sub PCB via theFPCB.

The diversity unit includes a third antenna 1830 and a fourth antenna1840. The third antenna 1830 may include part of the upper bezel portion1933, and the fourth antenna 1840 may include the left bezel portion1932 or the right bezel portion 1931.

The third antenna 1830 may support the LB, H/MB, or H/MB band, and thefourth antenna 1840 may support the H/MB or LB, H/MB band. The powerfeeder and power feeding pad of the diversity unit and the groundingportion and grounding pads may be disposed on the main PCB. Theelectrical paths connecting the power feeder and power feeding pad inthe diversity unit and the electrical paths connecting the groundportion and ground pad may be disposed on the main PCB.

According to various embodiments, when the main portion uses the rightbezel portion 1931 as the second antenna for inter-antenna signalseparation, the diversity unit may use, as the fourth antenna, the leftbezel portion 1932 which is positioned at an opposite side. When themain portion uses the left bezel portion 1932 as the second antenna, theantenna portion may use, as the fourth antenna, the right bezel portion1931 which is positioned at an opposite side.

FIGS. 20a to 20t are block diagrams illustrating various examples ofproviding uplink CA according to an embodiment of the present invention.The components (e.g., the first RF, second RF, first power modulator,second power modulator, first antenna, second antenna, diplexer, andpath selector) of FIGS. 20a to 20t may be added or omitted or have thesame or different functions according to embodiments of providing one ormore-uplink CA.

The components shown in FIGS. 20a to 20t and the examples are describedbelow.

According to various embodiments, the first RF may be called a first PAgroup, and the second RF may be called a second PA group. Each PA groupmay include an LB PA, an MB PA, and an HB PA. For example, the first RFmay include a first RF LB unit, a first RF MB unit, and a first RF HBunit, and the second RF may include a second RF LB unit, a second RF MBunit, and a second RF HB unit. The first RF and the second RF each mayinclude at least one PA (e.g., LB PA, MB PA, or HB PA) to amplifytransmitted signals, a diplexer to separate transmitted signals andreceived signals, a quadplexer to separate the transmitted signals andreceived signals or to divide the received signals into a first band anda second band depending on bands, and a switch to switch transmitted andreceived signals. The first RF and the second RF each may provide a pathto transmit or receive signals. The first RF and the second RF mayamplify signals by using power that is output from the power modulator.

According to various embodiments, as the power modulator may supplypower to at least one PA in the first RF and the second RF, theelectronic device 101 may perform two-uplink CA by simultaneously usingthe PA in the first RF and the PA in the second RF. Under the control ofthe communication processor 480, the power modulator may control outputpower by using any one (or at least one) of the envelope tracking mode,in which voltage is adjusted as per the envelope of the transmittedsignal and is supplied to the PA, the average power tracking mode, inwhich voltage is adjusted corresponding to the mean output power of eachPA and is supplied to the PA, and the bypass mode, in which a constantvoltage is supplied to the PA and may supply power to at least one PA inthe first RF and the second RF. Under the control of the communicationprocessor 480, the power modulator may control output power by using anyone (or at least one) of the envelope tracking mode, in which voltage isadjusted as per the envelope of the transmitted signal and is suppliedto the PA, the average power tracking mode, in which voltage is adjustedcorresponding to the mean output power of each PA and is supplied to thePA, and the bypass mode, in which a constant voltage is supplied to thePA.

According to various embodiments, the diplexer may separate transmittedsignals and received signals and may be configured to selectivelyconnect each antenna with the transmit/receive paths. The diplexer mayseparate signals transmitted or received via the first antenna intoper-LB signals and per-MB signals and may separate signals transmittedor received via the second antenna into per-LB signals and per-HBsignals.

According to various embodiments, the path selector may include at leastone switch, at least one duplexer, at least one diplexer, and at leastone quadplexer. The path selector, by such configuration, may providethe path between each antenna and each RF or provide switching from eachantenna to the LB PA, MB PA, and HB PA included in each RF. The pathselector may selectively connect each antenna to the transmit/receivepaths by using at least one of the switch, diplexer, duplexer, andquadplexer.

According to various embodiments, the antenna may receive signals froman external electronic device (e.g., a base station) or transmit signalsto the base station. The antenna may transmit signals output from thepath selector to the external electronic device or transfer signalsreceived from the external electronic device to the path selector. Theelectronic device 101 may include a plurality of antennas.

FIG. 20a is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a first RF and a second RF with different frequency bands areconnected with a single antenna according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 20b is a view illustrating an example of astructure in which the first RF of FIG. 20a is connected to a firstpower modulator, and the second RF is connected to a second powermodulator.

Referring to FIG. 20 a, the first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052 mayreceive power from the first power modulator 2010 and may transmit orreceive signals to/from the antenna 2030 through the diplexer 2031. Thefrequency bands supported by the first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052may differ from each other, and the voltage output from the first powermodulator 2010 may be calculated by Equation 3.

V _(envTx)=(max(V _(envTx[1]) , V _(envTx[2]) . . . , V_(envTx[n]))+Offset   [Equation 3]

In Equation 3, V_(envTx[n]) is the control voltage of the powermodulator reflecting the transmit envelope of the nth PA, and V_(envTx)is the control voltage of the power modulator selecting a controlvoltage among the control voltages determined by the PAs to supply powerto the plurality of PAs. An offset may be added for stable power supply.The power modulator may provide voltage to the first RF 2051 and thesecond RF 2052 via any one of, e.g., the envelope tracking mode, averagepower tracking mode, and bypass mode. When signals are simultaneouslytransmitted through the first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052, power useefficiency may be raised. Signals output from the first RF 2051 and thesecond RF 2052 may be transmitted through the diplexer 2031 to theantenna 2030, and signals received by the antenna 2030 may be deliveredthrough the diplexer 2031 to at least one of the first RF 2051 and thesecond RF 2052.

FIG. 20b adds a second power modulator 2020 to the structure of FIG. 20a. The first power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF2051, and the second power modulator 2020 may provide voltage to thesecond RF 2052. The first power modulator 2010 may provide voltage tothe first RF 2051 via any one of, e.g., the envelope tracking mode,average power tracking mode, and bypass mode. The second power modulator2020 may provide voltage to the second RF 2052 via any one of, e.g., theenvelope tracking mode, average power tracking mode, and bypass mode.Signals output from the first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052 may betransmitted through the diplexer 2031 to the antenna 2030, and signalsreceived by the antenna 2030 may be delivered through the diplexer 2031to at least one of the first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052. Each powermodulator may be used per operating PA, thereby leading to higher poweruse efficiency in the uplink CA operation than by the structure of FIG.20 a.

FIG. 20c is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a first RF and a second RF with overlapping frequency bands areconnected with a single antenna according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. FIG. 20d is a view illustrating an example of astructure in which the first RF of FIG. 20c is connected to a firstpower modulator, and the second RF is connected to a second powermodulator.

Referring to FIGS. 20c and 20 d, the first RF 2051 and the second RF2052 may have overlapping or identical frequency bands that theysupport. The power modulator may provide voltage to the first RF 2051and the second RF 2052 via any one of, e.g., the envelope tracking mode,average power tracking mode, and bypass mode. Signals output from thefirst RF 2051 and the second RF 2052 may be transmitted through thesplitter/combiner 2032 to the antenna 2030, and signals received by theantenna 2030 may be delivered through the splitter/combiner 2032 to atleast one of the first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052.

FIG. 20d adds a second power modulator 2020 to the structure of FIG. 20c. The first power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF2051, and the second power modulator 2020 may provide voltage to thesecond RF 2052. Signals output from the first RF 2051 and the second RF2052 may be transmitted through the splitter/combiner 2032 to theantenna 2030, and signals received by the antenna 2030 may be deliveredthrough the splitter/combiner 2032 to at least one of the first RF 2051and the second RF 2052.

FIG. 20e is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a first RF and a second RF are connected with their respectiveantennas according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20fis a view illustrating an example of a structure in which the first RFof FIG. 20e is connected to a first power modulator, and the second RFis connected to a second power modulator.

Referring to FIGS. 20e and 20 f, the first RF 2051 may be connected tothe first antenna 2030, and the second RF 2052 may be connected to thesecond antenna 2040. The power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to thefirst RF 2051 and the second RF 2052 via any one of, e.g., the envelopetracking mode, average power tracking mode, and bypass mode. Signalsoutput from the first RF 2051 may be transmitted through the firstantenna 2030, and signals output from the second RF 2052 may betransmitted through the second antenna 2040. Signals received throughthe first antenna 2030 may be delivered to the first RF 2051, andsignals received through the second antenna 2040 may be delivered to thesecond RF 2052.

FIG. 20f adds a second power modulator 2020 to the structure of FIG. 20e. The first power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF2051, and the second power modulator 2020 may provide voltage to thesecond RF 2052. Signals output from the first RF 2051 may be transmittedthrough the first antenna 2030, and signals output from the second RF2052 may be transmitted through the second antenna 2040. Signalsreceived through the first antenna 2030 may be delivered to the first RF2051, and signals received through the second antenna 2040 may bedelivered to the second RF 2051.

FIG. 20g is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a first RF and a second RF may selectively be connected with twoantennas according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20his a view illustrating an example of a structure in which the first RFof FIG. 20g is connected to a first power modulator, and the second RFis connected to a second power modulator.

Referring to FIGS. 20g and 20 h, the first RF 2051 may selectively beconnected to any one of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna2040 through the path selector 2060, and the second RF 2052 mayselectively be connected to any one of the first antenna 2030 and thesecond antenna 2040 through the path selector 2060. The power modulator2010 may provide voltage to the first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052 viaany one of, e.g., the envelope tracking mode, average power trackingmode, and bypass mode. Signals output from the first RF 2051 may betransmitted through the path selector 2060 and any one of the firstantenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040, and signals output from thesecond RF 2052 may be transmitted through the path selector 2060 and anyone of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040. Signalsreceived through the first antenna 2030 may be delivered through thepath selector 2060 to any one of the first RF 2051 and the second RF2052, and signals received through the second antenna 2040 may bedelivered through the path selector 2060 to any one of the first RF 2051and the second RF 2052. The frequency support bands of the first antenna2030 and the second antenna 2040 may include at least partiallyoverlapping bands. The path selector 2060 may include at least oneswitch, at least one duplexer, at least one diplexer, and at least onequadplexer. The path selector 2060, by such configuration, may providethe path between each antenna and each RF circuit. The path selector2060 may include at least one of a switch, a filter, a diplexer, aduplexer, a splitter, and a triplexer, and may selectively orsimultaneously connect each antenna with the transmit/receive paths.

FIG. 20h adds a second power modulator 2020 to the structure of FIG. 20g. The first power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF2051, and the second power modulator 2020 may provide voltage to thesecond RF 2052. Signals output from the first RF 2051 may be transmittedthrough any one of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040,and signals output from the second RF 2052 may be transmitted throughany one of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040. Signalsreceived through the first antenna 2030 may be delivered to any one ofthe first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052, and signals received throughthe second antenna 2040 may be delivered to any one of the first RF 2051and the second RF 2052.

FIG. 20i is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a first RF and a second RF each include a plurality ofinput/output ports and may selectively be connected with two antennasaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20j is a viewillustrating an example of a structure in which the first RF of FIG. 20gis connected to a first power modulator, and the second RF is connectedto a second power modulator.

Referring to FIGS. 20i and 20 j, the first RF 2051 and the second RF2052 each may include a plurality of input/output ports, and in somecases, may selectively connect the plurality of input/output ports tothe antenna. An RF transmit or receive circuit supporting at least oneor more bands may be connected to each port. For example, a first portof the first RF 2051 may be connected to a circuit including the PA andduplexer supporting a first band, and a second port of the first RF 2051may be connected to a circuit including the PA and duplexer supporting asecond band. The first RF 2051 may selectively be connected to any oneof the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040 through theinput/output port, and the second RF 2052 may selectively be connectedto any one of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040 throughthe input/output port. The power modulator 2010 may provide voltage tothe first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052 via any one of, e.g., theenvelope tracking mode, average power tracking mode, and bypass mode.Signals output from the first RF 2051 may be transmitted through theinput/output port and any one of the first antenna 2030 and the secondantenna 2040, and signals output from the second RF 2052 may betransmitted through the input/output port and any one of the firstantenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040. Signals received through thefirst antenna 2030 may be delivered through the input/output port to anyone of the first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052, and signals receivedthrough the second antenna 2040 may be delivered through the pathselector 2060 to any one of the first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052.The frequency support bands of the first antenna 2030 and the secondantenna 2040 may include at least partially overlapping bands.

FIG. 20j adds a second power modulator 2020 to the structure of FIG. 20i. The first power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF2051, and the second power modulator 2020 may provide voltage to thesecond RF 2052. Signals output from the first RF 2051 may be transmittedthrough any one of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040,and signals output from the second RF 2052 may be transmitted throughany one of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040. Signalsreceived through the first antenna 2030 may be delivered to any one ofthe first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052, and signals received throughthe second antenna 2040 may be delivered to any one of the first RF 2051and the second RF 2052.

FIG. 20k is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a PA in a first RF is modularized into an LB and an M/HB, and a PAin a second RF is modularized into an LB and an M/HB according to anembodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20l is a view illustrating anexample of a structure in which PAs in the first RF of FIG. 20k areconnected to a first power modulator, and PAs in the second RF areconnected to a second power modulator.

Referring to FIGS. 20k and 20 l, a first RF LB unit 2051, a first RFM/HB unit 2052, a second RF LB unit 2053, and a second RF M/HB unit 2054may selectively be connected through the path selector 2060 to any oneof the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040. Each transceiversupporting the LB and M/HB may be formed in a single RF module. Thepower modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF LB unit 2051,the first RF M/HB unit 2052, the second RF LB unit 2053, and the secondRF M/HB unit 2054 via any one of, e.g., the envelope tracking mode, theaverage power tracking mode, and the bypass mode. Signals output fromthe first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF M/HB unit 2052, the second RF LBunit 2053, and the second RF M/HB unit 2054 may be transmitted throughthe path selector 2060 and at least one of the first antenna 2030 andthe second antenna 2040. Signals received through at least one of thefirst antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040 may be transferredthrough the path selector 2060 to at least one of the first RF LB unit2051, the first RF M/HB unit 2052, the second RF LB unit 2053, and thesecond RF M/HB unit 2054. The frequency support bands of the firstantenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040 may include at least partiallyoverlapping bands.

FIG. 20l adds a second power modulator 2020 to the structure of FIG. 20k. The first power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF LBunit 2051 and the first RF M/HB unit 2052, and the second powermodulator 2020 may provide voltage to the second RF LB unit 2053 and thesecond RF M/HB unit 2054. Signals output from any one of the first RF LBunit 2051 and the first RF M/HB unit 2052 may be transmitted to any oneof the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040, and signalsoutput from any one of the second RF LB unit 2053 and the second RF M/HBunit 2054 may be transmitted to any one of the first antenna 2030 andthe second antenna 2040. Signals received through the first antenna 2030may be transferred to any one of the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RFM/HB unit 2052, the second RF LB unit 2053, and the second RF M/HB unit2054, and signals received through the second antenna 2040 may betransferred to any one of the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF M/HBunit 2052, the second RF LB unit 2053, and the second RF M/HB unit 2054.

FIG. 20m is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich a PA in a first RF is modularized into an LB, an MB, and an HB,and a PA in a second RF is modularized into an LB, an MB, and an HBaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20n is a viewillustrating an example of a structure in which PAs in the first RF ofFIG. 20m are connected to a first power modulator, and PAs in the secondRF are connected to a second power modulator.

Referring to FIGS. 20m and 20 n, a first RF LB unit 2051, a first RF MHBunit 2055, a first RF HB unit 2056, a second RF LB unit 2053, a secondRF MB unit 2057, and a second RF HB unit 2058 may selectively beconnected to any one of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna2040 via the path selector 2060. Each transceiver supporting the LB, MB,and HB may be formed in a single RF module. The power modulator 2010 mayprovide voltage to the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MHB unit2055, the first RF HB unit 2056, the second RF LB unit 2053, the secondRF MB unit 2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058 via any one of, e.g.,the envelope tracking mode, the average power tracking mode, and thebypass mode. Signals output from the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RFMHB unit 2055, the first RF HB unit 2056, the second RF LB unit 2053,the second RF MB unit 2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058 may betransmitted through the path selector 2060 and at least one of the firstantenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040. Signals received through atleast one of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040 may betransferred through the path selector 2060 to at least one of the firstRF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit 2055, the first RF HB unit 2056,the second RF LB unit 2053, the second RF MB unit 2057, and the secondRF HB unit 2058. The frequency support bands of the first antenna 2030and the second antenna 2040 may include at least partially overlappingbands.

FIG. 20n adds a second power modulator 2020 to the structure of FIG. 20m. The first power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF LBunit 2051, the first RF MB unit 2055, and the first RF HB unit 2056, andthe second power modulator 2020 may provide voltage to the second RF LBunit 2053, the second RF MB unit 2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058.Signals output from any one of the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RFMB unit 2055, and the first RF HB unit 2056 may be transmitted to anyone of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040, and signalsoutput from any one of the second RF LB unit 2053, the second RF MB unit2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058 may be transmitted to any one ofthe first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040. Signals receivedthrough the first antenna 2030 may be transferred to any one of thefirst RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit 2055, the first RF HB unit2056, the second RF LB unit 2053 the second RF MB unit 2057, and thesecond RF HB unit 2058, and signals received through the second antenna2040 may be transferred to any one of the first RF LB unit 2051, thefirst RF MB unit 2055, the first RF HB unit 2056, the second RF LB unit2053 the second RF MB unit 2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058.

FIG. 20o is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich the respective PAs of a first RF and a second RF are connectedwith four antennas according to an embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 20p is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich each PA in the first RF of FIG. 20o is connected to a first powermodulator, and each PA in the second RF is connected to a second powermodulator.

Referring to FIGS. 20o and 20 p, a first RF LB unit 2051, a first RF MBunit 2055, a first RF HB unit 2056, a second RF LB unit 2053, a secondRF MB unit 2057, and a second RF HB unit 2058 may selectively beconnected to any one of the first antenna 2030, the second antenna 2035,the third antenna 2040, and the fourth antenna 2045 via the pathselector 2060. Each transceiver supporting the LB, MB, and HB may beformed in a single RF module. The power modulator 2010 may providevoltage to the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit 2055, thefirst RF HB unit 2056, the second RF LB unit 2053, the second RF MB unit2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058 via any one of, e.g., the envelopetracking mode, the average power tracking mode, and the bypass mode.Signals output from the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit2055, the first RF HB unit 2056, the second RF LB unit 2053, the secondRF MB unit 2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058 may be transmittedthrough the path selector 2060 and at least one of the first antenna2030, the second antenna 2035, the third antenna 2040, and the fourthantenna 2045. Signals received through any one of the first antenna2030, the second antenna 2035, the third antenna 2040, and the fourthantenna 2045 may be transferred through the path selector 2060 to atleast one of the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit 453, thefirst RF HB unit 2056, the second RF LB unit 2053, the second RF MB unit2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058. The frequency support bands of thefirst antenna 2030, the second antenna 2035, the third antenna 2040, andthe fourth antenna 2045 may include at least partially overlappingbands.

FIG. 20p adds a second power modulator 2020 to the structure of FIG. 20o. The first power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF LBunit 2051, the first RF MB unit 453, and the first RF HB unit 2056, andthe second power modulator 2020 may provide voltage to the second RF LBunit 2053, the second RF MB unit 2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058.Signals output from any one of the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RFMB unit 2055, and the first RF HB unit 2056 may be transmitted to anyone of the first antenna 2030, the second antenna 2035, the thirdantenna 2040, and the fourth antenna 2045, and signals output from anyone of the second RF LB unit 2053, the second RF MB unit 2057, and thesecond RF HB unit 2058 may be transmitted to any one of the firstantenna 2030, the second antenna 2035, the third antenna 2040, and thefourth antenna 2045. Signals received through the first antenna 2030 maybe transferred to any one of the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MBunit 2055, the first RF HB unit 2056, the second RF LB unit 2053 thesecond RF MB unit 2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058, and signalsreceived through the second antenna 2035 may be transferred to any oneof the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit 2055, the first RF HBunit 2056, the second RF LB unit 2053 the second RF MB unit 2057, andthe second RF HB unit 2058. Signals received through the third antenna2040 may be transferred to any one of the first RF LB unit 2051, thefirst RF MB unit 2055, the first RF HB unit 2056, the second RF LB unit2053 the second RF MB unit 2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058, andsignals received through the fourth antenna 2045 may be transferred toany one of the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit 2055, thefirst RF HB unit 2056, the second RF LB unit 2053 the second RF MB unit2057, and the second RF HB unit 2058. The frequency range and themounting position of the first antenna 2030, the second antenna 2035,the third antenna 2040, and the fourth antenna 2045 may be varieddepending on design or required specifications.

FIG. 20q is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure inwhich n RFs, m antennas, and k power modulators are connected accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 20 q, the first RF 2051 and the second RF 2052 areselectively connected to any one of the first antenna 2030, the secondantenna 2032 through the mth antenna 2033 through the path selector 2060and receives power from the first power modulator 2010. The third RF2053 and the fourth RF (not shown) are selectively connected to any oneof the first antenna 2030, the second antenna 2032 through the mthantenna 2033 through the path selector 2060 and receives power from thesecond power modulator 2011. Likewise, the n−1th RF (not shown) and thenth RF 2054 are selectively connected to any one of the first antenna2030, the second antenna 2032 through the mth antenna 2033 through thepath selector 2060 and receives power from the kth power modulator 2012.One power modulator may supply power to at least one RF. K powersupplying units may independently supply power to each RF, and when kthuplink CA is performed, power use efficiency may be good. The frequencyrange of each antenna and the frequency range of each RF may be varieddepending on design or required specifications.

The second RF 2052 may selectively be connected to any one of the firstantenna 2031 through the mth antenna 2033 via the path selector 2060.The first power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF 2051and the second RF 2052 via any one of, e.g., the envelope tracking mode,average power tracking mode, and bypass mode. Signals output from thefirst RF 2051 may be transmitted through the path selector 2060 and anyone of the first antenna 2031 through the mth antenna 2033, and signalsoutput from the second RF 2052 may be transmitted through the pathselector 2060 and any one of the first antenna 2031 through the mthantenna 2033. For example, signals received through the first antenna2031 may be delivered through the path selector 2060 to any one of thefirst RF 2051 and the second RF 2052, and signals received through thesecond antenna 2032 may be delivered through the path selector 2060 toany one of the third RF 2053 and the fourth RF (not shown). Thefrequency support bands of the first antenna 2031 through the mthantenna 2033 may include at least partially overlapping bands. The pathselector 2060 may include at least one switch, at least one duplexer, atleast one diplexer, and at least one quadplexer. The path selector 2060,by such configuration, may provide the path between each antenna andeach RF or provide switching from each antenna to the LB PA, MB PA, andHB PA included in each RF. The path selector 2060 may include at leastone of a switch, a filter, a diplexer, a duplexer, a splitter, and atriplexer, and may selectively connect each antenna with thetransmit/receive paths. Signals received through the mth antenna 2033may be transferred through the path selector 2060 to any one of the nthRF 2054 and the n−1th RF (not shown).

FIG. 20r is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structurewhere a first RF supports an LB and an MB, and a second RF supports anMB and an HB according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG.20s is a view illustrating an example of an uplink CA structure in whichan LB and MB in the first RF of FIG. 20r are connected to a first powermodulator, and an MB and HB in the second RF are connected to a secondpower modulator.

Referring to FIGS. 20r and 20 s, the first RF unit may not support theHB frequency band, and the second RF unit may not support the LB band. Afirst RF LB unit 2051, a first RF MB unit 2052, a second RF LB unit2053, and a second RF HB unit 2054 may selectively be connected throughthe path selector 2060 to any one of the first antenna 2030 and thesecond antenna 2040. The power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to thefirst RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit 2052, the second RF LB unit2053, and the second RF HB unit 2054 via any one of, e.g., the envelopetracking mode, the average power tracking mode, and the bypass mode.Signals output from the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit2052, the second RF LB unit 2053, and the second RF HB unit 2054 may betransmitted through the path selector 2060 and at least one of the firstantenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040. Signals received through atleast one of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040 may betransferred through the path selector 2060 to at least one of the firstRF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit 2052, the second RF LB unit 2053,and the second RF HB unit 2054. The frequency support bands of the firstantenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040 may include at least partiallyoverlapping bands.

FIG. 20s adds a second power modulator 2020 to the structure of FIG. 20r. The first power modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF LBunit 2051 and the first RF MB unit 2052, and the second power modulator2020 may provide voltage to the second RF MB unit 2053 and the second RFHB unit 2054. Signals output from any one of the first RF LB unit 2051and the first RF MB unit 2052 may be transmitted to any one of the firstantenna 2030 and the second antenna 2040, and signals output from anyone of the second RF MB unit 2053 and the second RF HB unit 2054 may betransmitted to any one of the first antenna 2030 and the second antenna2040. Signals received through the first antenna 2030 may be transferredto any one of the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit 2052, thesecond RF MB unit 2053, and the second RF HB unit 2054, and signalsreceived through the second antenna 2040 may be transferred to any oneof the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit 2052, the second RFMB unit 2053, and the second RF HB unit 2054.

FIG. 20t is a view illustrating a specific example of the path selectorof FIG. 20 s.

Referring to FIG. 20 t, the first RF unit and the second RF unit mayhave different frequency bands. The first RF LB unit 2051, the first RFMB unit 2052, and the second RF LB unit 2053 may be connected to thefirst antenna 2030 via the switch 2092 and the diplexer 2091. The secondRF HB unit 2054 may be connected to the second antenna 2040. The firstpower modulator 2010 may provide voltage to the first RF LB unit 2051and the first RF MB unit 2052, and the second power modulator 2020 mayprovide voltage to the second RF MB unit 2053 and the second RF HB unit2054.

Signals output from any one of the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RFMB unit 2052, and the second RF MB unit 2053 may be transmitted throughthe switch 2092 and the diplexer 2091 to the first antenna 2030, andsignals output from the second RF HB unit 2053 may be transmittedthrough the second antenna 2030. Signals received through the firstantenna 2030 may be transferred through the switch 2092 and the diplexer2091 to any one of the first RF LB unit 2051, the first RF MB unit 2052,and the second RF MB unit 2053, and signals received through the secondantenna 2040 may be transferred to the second RF HB unit 2054.

The term ‘module’ may refer to a unit including one of hardware,software, and firmware, or a combination thereof. The term ‘module’ maybe interchangeably used with a unit, logic, logical block, component, orcircuit. The module may be a minimum unit or part of an integratedcomponent. The module may be a minimum unit or part of performing one ormore functions. The module may be implemented mechanically orelectronically. For example, the module may include at least one ofapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips, field programmablegate arrays (FPGAs), or programmable logic arrays (PLAs) that performsome operations, which have already been known or will be developed inthe future.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, at least a part of thedevice (e.g., modules or their functions) or method (e.g., operations)may be implemented as instructions stored in a computer-readable storagemedium e.g., in the form of a program module. The instructions, whenexecuted by a processor (e.g., the communication processor 480), mayenable the processor to carry out a corresponding function. Thecomputer-readable storage medium may be e.g., the memory 130.

The computer-readable storage medium may include a hardware device, suchas hard discs, floppy discs, and magnetic tapes (e.g., a magnetic tape),optical media such as compact disc ROMs (CD-ROMs) and digital versatilediscs (DVDs), magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, ROMs, RAMs,flash memories, and/or the like. Examples of the program commands mayinclude not only machine language codes but also high-level languagecodes which are executable by various computing means using aninterpreter. The aforementioned hardware devices may be configured tooperate as one or more software modules to carry out exemplaryembodiments of the disclosure, and vice versa.

According to various embodiments, there is provided a storage mediumstoring instructions configured to be executed by at least one processorto enable the at least one processor to perform at least one operation,wherein the at least one operation may include performing communicationthrough a PA in a first PA group using power output from a first powermodulator configured in a power unit, detecting an uplink CA request,operating a second PA group by activating a second power modulatorconfigured in the power unit corresponding to the detected request, andcontrolling transmission or reception of a signal through a PA in thesecond PA group while performing the communication.

Modules or programming modules in accordance with various embodiments ofthe disclosure may include at least one or more of the aforementionedcomponents, omit some of them, or further include other additionalcomponents. Operations performed by modules, programming modules orother components in accordance with various embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be carried out sequentially, simultaneously, repeatedly,or heuristically. Furthermore, some of the operations may be performedin a different order, or omitted, or include other additionaloperation(s). The embodiments disclosed herein are proposed fordescription and understanding of the disclosed technology and does notlimit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of thepresent invention should be interpreted as including all changes orvarious embodiments based on the technical spirit of the presentinvention.

1. A portable communication device comprising: a radio frequency (RF)circuit including a first power amplifier (PA) group, a second PA groupand a third PA group, the first PA group including a first PA and asecond PA configured to support a first frequency band and a secondfrequency band, respectively, the second PA group including a third PAand a fourth PA configured to support the first frequency band and thesecond frequency band, respectively, and the third PA group including afifth PA configured to support a third frequency band; an antenna moduleincluding a first antenna, a second antenna, a third antenna and afourth antenna, the first antenna configured with be connected with oneof the first PA, the second PA or the fifth PA, the second antennaconfigured to be connected with one of the first PA or the second PA,and the third antenna configured to be connected with one of the thirdPA or the fourth PA, and the fourth antenna configured to be connectedwith one of the third PA or the fourth PA; a power module including afirst power modulator, a second power modulator and a third powermodulator, the first power modulator connected with the first PA group,the second power modulator connected with the second PA group, and thethird power modulator connected with the third PA group; and acommunication processor configured to change an output voltage based ontransmit power outputted via one or more PAs of the first, second,third, fourth or fifth PAs; wherein a first signal is to be outputtedthrough at least one of the first PA or the second PA , and a secondsignal is to be outputted, simultaneously with the first signal, throughat least one of the third PA or the fourth PA.
 2. The portablecommunication device of claim 1, wherein the RF circuit is configuredto: transmit the first signal via a selected one of the first antennaand the second antenna; and transmit the second signal, simultaneouslywith the first signal, via one of the third antenna, the fourth antennaand the fifth antenna.
 3. The portable communication device of claim 1,wherein the RF circuit includes a multiplexer, wherein the first PAgroup and the third PA group are connected with the first antenna viathe multiplexer.
 4. The portable communication device of claim 1,wherein the RF circuit includes a fourth PA group including a sixth PAconfigured to support a fourth frequency band, wherein the antennamodule includes a fifth antenna connected with the sixth PA, wherein thepower module includes a fourth power modulator connected with the fourthPA group, the sixth PA configured to transmit simultaneously the secondsignal with the first signal.
 5. The portable communication device ofclaim 1, wherein the RF circuit includes a fourth PA group including asixth PA, wherein the second power modulator is connected with thefourth PA group, and wherein the second signal is to be outputted,simultaneously with the first signal, further through the sixth PA. 6.The portable communication device of claim 1, wherein the firstfrequency band corresponds to a middle band (MB), the second frequencyband corresponds to a high band (HB), and the third frequency bandcorresponds to a low band (LB).
 7. The portable communication device ofclaim 5, wherein the LB has a frequency ranging from 600 MHz to 1 GHz,the MB has a frequency ranging from 1.5 GHz to 2.2 GHz, and the HB has afrequency ranging from 1.8 GHz to 5 GHz.
 8. A portable communicationdevice comprising: a radio frequency (RF) circuit including a firstpower amplifier (PA) group, a second PA group and third PA group, thefirst PA group a first PA a second PA configured to support a firstfrequency band and a second frequency band respectively, a second PAgroup including a third PA configured to support the second frequencyband, and a third PA group including a fourth PA configured to support athird frequency band; an antenna module including a first antenna and asecond antenna, the first antenna configured to be connected with one ofthe first PA, the second PA and the fourth PA, the second antennaconfigured to be connected with the third PA; a power module including afirst power modulator, a second power modulator and a third powermodulator, the first power modulator connected with the first PA group,second power modulator connected with the second PA group, and a thirdpower modulator connected with the third PA group; and a communicationprocessor configured to change an output voltage based on transmit poweroutputted via one or more PAs of the first, second, third or fourth PAs,wherein a first signal is to be outputted through at least one of thefirst PA or the second PA and a second signal is to be outputted,simultaneously with the first signal, through at least one of the thirdPA or the fourth PA.
 9. The portable communication device of the claim8, wherein the RF circuit includes a multiplexer, wherein the first PAgroup and the third PA group connected to the first antenna via themultiplexer.
 10. The portable communication device of the claim 8,wherein the RF circuit includes a fourth PA group including a fifth PAconfigured to support a fourth frequency band, wherein the antennamodule includes a third antenna connected with the fifth PA, wherein thepower module includes a fourth power modulator connected with the fifthPA, wherein the fifth PA configured to transmit simultaneously thesecond signal with the first signal.
 11. The portable communicationdevice of the claim 8, wherein the RF circuit includes a fifth PA groupincluding a sixth PA, wherein the second power modulator connected withthe fifth PA group, wherein the second signal is to be outputted,simultaneously with the first signal, further through the sixth PA. 12.The portable communication device of the claim 8, wherein the RF circuitincludes a fifth PA group including a sixth PA, wherein the first powermodulator connected to the fifth PA group.
 13. The portablecommunication device of the claim 8, wherein the second antennaconfigured to connect to at least one of the first PA, the second PA andthe fourth PA.